One of the Of all the money printed in America, the most fascinating one would probably be the Bicentennial Quarter issued in 1976, originally produced for the celebration of 200 years of the independence of America.
While millions of these quarters have been minted and are still in circulation, several rare variations have surprised collectors after fetching up to $1 million at auction.
This article discusses the special features, reasons for their scarcity, and what they are worth to collectors around the world.
Unique Features of the Bicentennial Quarter
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is unique in design compared to most circulating quarters; it was created to commemorate the nation’s 200th birthday.
This quarter still bears the classic profile of George Washington on the obverse side but boasts a colonial drummer, a torch, and a ring of 13 stars symbolizing the original colonies on the reverse side.
One other aspect that makes this particular coin unique is that it bears a dual date “1776-1976” instead of the common single date that most coins use.
Why Some Bicentennial Quarters are Worth Much More?
Although not all Bicentennial Quarters are valuable, there are a few things that can really make them worth a lot of money:
- Minting Errors – Double die errors, off-center strikes, or other such flaws in the coins can be very rare and valuable to collectors.
- Uncirculated Condition – Any coin that never left their mint from 1976, especially if a coin that graded MS (Mint State) 65 or better – can go for thousands of dollars.
- Silver Content – While the majority of the Bicentennial Quarters were made up of a copper-nickel alloy, a few were struck with 40% silver content, making them much more valuable.
- Proof and Special Mint Sets – The San Francisco Mint was stamping up proofs and other high-grade pieces with an “S”. Hard core collectors always search for the higher grades proofs and silver of Bicentennial Quarters.
- Top Bicentennial Quarter Sales -A number of high-priced sales at auction indicate just how hot these quarters were and are for that matter. A list is given below that displays some of the most exceptional sales:
| Year | Mint Mark | Composition | Condition | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | S | 40% Silver | MS 68 | $19,200 |
| 1976 | D | Clad | MS 67 | $6,462 |
| 1976 | No Mint | Clad | MS 66 | $5,170 |
| 1976 | S | Clad Proof | PR 70 DCAM | $1,265 |
Are Bicentennial Quarters still in circulation?
Although many high-value Bicentennial Quarters have been scooped up by collectors, millions were minted and still exist today. There are extremely few worth thousands or even millions.
If you come across one, it is worth closely inspecting it for any unique errors, silver content, or high-grade condition before spending it as just another quarter.
The Bicentennial Quarter remains one of the most popular collector’s items in U.S. numismatics. While most are only worth their face value, some rare versions can sell for thousands and even a million at auctions.
If you have the hunch that you own one, get it appraised by a professional to determine its true worth.
FAQS:
What makes a Bicentennial Quarter valuable?
Factors such as minting errors, silver content, and in uncirculated condition can have a significant bearing on the Bicentennial Quarter’s price.
How would I know that my Bicentennial Quarter is made of silver?
All Bicentennial Quarters contain an “S” mint mark and were issued as part of special collector’s sets. Check the edge of the coin; silver quarters don’t have the copper-colored stripe that runs around the edge of regular quarters.
Are all Bicentennial Quarters rare?
No, while the design is unique, most Bicentennial Quarters are common and only 25 cents; however, there are others with errors or silver content that can be quite valuable.