Bicentennial Quarters: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on July 09, 2024 by BOLD Precious Metals

In 1975 and 1976, the US Mint created limited-edition Bicentennial quarters to commemorate the nation's 200th anniversary of independence. This quarter stands out thanks to its dual dates of "1776-1976" and the recognizable drummer boy design.

The coins, which have a bust of George Washington on the obverse and a Colonial drummer holding a victory torch on the reverse, were struck in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. In this blog post, we'll explore the intriguing realm of the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, examining its design, value, prices, and valuable rare coins.

Bicentennial Coins Design

Obverse
The well-known Flanagan George Washington design was retained on the obverse of the bicentennial design. It shows the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" to the left of the First President's left profile. The upper portion of the obverse is arched with the word "LIBERTY". To the right of the profile is the mint mark. The dual date, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the signing, reads "1776-1976," in contrast to the obverse of every previous quarter.
Reverse
On the reverse of the quarter, Jack L. Ahr's illustration of a colonial revolutionary beating out drums is featured. Thirteen stars surround a torch to the soldier's left. The Original States are represented by these. E Pluribus Unum, the national motto, is engraved beneath the victory torch. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are inscribed in an arch around the drummer boy's head. The words "QUARTER DOLLAR" are printed on the lower portion of the back. Underneath the left arm of the American Revolution soldier are the designer's initials, "JLA." Sculptor John Flanagan's bald eagle reverse design was replaced during the bicentennial quarter by Ahr's colonial drummer design.

Bicentennial Quarter Value and Prices

Certain quarter-dollar varieties stand out as being more valuable than others due to the large quantity of these coins struck by each mint. Prices can differ from the face value of the coin and, in certain situations, melt value up to thousands of dollars.

In light of this, let's examine some valuable varieties of bicentennial quarters. Expert coin grading services like PCGS and NGC provide the basis for all auction values and prices.

1) MS65 Regular Strike Washington Quarter

Year	Coin	Condition	Commonality	General Availability	Value Range
1976	Washington Quarter	Mint State 65	More common for preserved bicentenary quarters	It may be found in pocket change	$6 to $10

2) MS66 / MS67 Regular Strike Washington Quarter

Mint	Year	Coin	Condition	Commonality	Value Range
Philadelphia	1976	Bicentennial Quarter	MS66	Pulled out of circulation after being introduced; not too rare	$15 to $40
Philadelphia	1976	Bicentennial Quarter	MS67	Pulled out of circulation after being introduced; not too rare	$35, $70, up to $127

3) MS67+ / MS68 Regular Strike Washington Quarter

Mint	Year	Coin	Highest Known Grade	Commonality	Value Range
Philadelphia	1976	Bicentennial Quarter	MS67+	No coins in Mint State 68 or above have ever been found	Estimated at $2850 (never auctioned)
Philadelphia	1976	Bicentennial Quarter	Potential better-graded		It may be worth more than $2850

4) MS68 Regular Strike Washington Quarter

Mint	Year	Coin	Highest Known Grade	Commonality	Value Range
Denver	1976	Washington Bicentennial Quarter	MS68	Best-known grade for this variety	$3220 to $6463

5) Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter

Production	Coin	Finish	Grade	Value Range
~7 million	Clad Proof Dual Date Quarter	Deep Cameo	PR69	$7 to $50
~7 million	Clad Proof Dual Date Quarter	Deep Cameo	PR70	$77 to $93

6) Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter

Mint	Production	Coin	Composition	Finish	Grade	Value Range
San Francisco	~4 million proof quarters	Silver Bicentennial Quarter	40% silver, 60% copper	Deep Cameo	PR69	$15 to $40
San Francisco	~4 million proof quarters	Silver Bicentennial Quarter	40% silver, 60% copper	Deep Cameo	PR70	$139 to $250

7) Silver Uncirculated Bicentennial Quarter

Mint	Production	Coin	Composition	Grade	Value Range	Notes
San Francisco	~5 million	Business Strike Quarter	Silver	MS68	$23 to $144	More valuable due to its smaller mintage and metal content
San Francisco	~5 million	Business Strike Quarter	Silver	MS69	$5060 to $19200	Only six known coins of this grade

Some Rare and Valuable Bicentennial Quarter

Simply by virtue of being a commemorative issue, the 1976 quarter may stand out from subsequent quarters. However, special editions with coin errors can greatly increase the value of the bicentennial quarter.

1. Doubled Die Quarter An improperly made coin die can cause the obverse and reverse inscriptions on a coin to double. Certain doubled die bicentennial quarters have been found by collectors. The auction prices for these valuable coins range from $810 to $3246.

2. Overstruck Bicentennial Quarters Occasionally, a unique coin may be struck. Overstruck coins occur when a coin die presses a planchet—a coin that has already been fully struck—into an already struck coin. Bicentennial quarters, like the one on the dime, have been struck on various coins and planchets as examples. Because of the personalized content, these quarters can be a great way to add character and top uniqueness to a coin collection. These have great value. In a recent auction, the previously mentioned example brought in $12,000.00.

3. Struck Through Quarters If something like fabric gets into the coin-striking chambers, a different kind of coin error may occur. It is known that some of the Bicentennial quarters were blocked during production by a piece of cloth. The coin is rare and extremely valuable due to the weaving pattern on its obverse. At an auction, an example in MS66 condition brought $881.25.

Coin Error Type	Value Range
Doubled Die Quarter	$810 to $3246
Overstruck Bicentennial Quarter	Example sold for $12000
Struck Through Quarter	Example sold for $881.25

Conclusion

Bicentennial quarters are more than just a piece of American history; they are a unique and valuable addition to any coin collection. With their distinctive dual dates and the iconic drummer boy design, these quarters stand out among regular issues. Their value can vary significantly based on condition, mint, and unique errors, making them an intriguing subject for collectors and history enthusiasts.

From common Mint State coins worth a few dollars to rare errors and high-grade examples fetching thousands, Bicentennial quarters offer a fascinating glimpse into numismatic history. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting, exploring these quarters can be a rewarding journey, both in terms of knowledge and potential value.