The 1976 Bicentennial quarter is still one of America’s most iconic commemorative coins. Produced to mark the country’s 200th birthday, these commemorative quarters had a colonial drummer boy on the back and the dual date “1776-1976.”
Although the U.S. Mint minted more than 1.7 billion of these quarters for circulation, rendering most examples face-value only, some scarce varieties can fetch hefty premiums in the current collectible coin market.
Here’s a closer examination of five of the most valuable Bicentennial quarter varieties that may be waiting in your pocket change, coin jar, or even your parents’ retired collections.
1. The “No S” Proof Bicentennial Quarter
The ultimate prize for Bicentennial quarter collectors is the “No S” proof variety. These extremely rare coins were minted at the San Francisco Mint as part of special proof sets for collectors. All of the proof quarters minted in this plant must have an “S” mintmark, but some were made without that vital marking as a result of die preparation mishap.
Fewer than a dozen of these “No S” proof Bicentennial quarters are presently known to survive, and they are some of the rarest and most desirable U.S. modern coin mistakes. When one of these rare quarters surfaces at auction, it usually fetches between $7,000 and $20,000, depending on the coin’s condition and certification.
The error was first discovered in 1976 when a collector observed the absent mintmark on a proof quarter in their recently acquired proof set. Fewer than 20 authenticated specimens have since been reported, although the total number is unknown.
The most recent public sale of a “No S” proof Bicentennial quarter took place in 2019, when a Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) PR-68 specimen sold for $13,950 at a prominent numismatic auction. This error is so interesting because it happened on a popular commemorative coin while the Mint was under extreme scrutiny following the Bicentennial anniversary. Quality control was assessing at an all-time high, assessing, and still this major mistake managed to get past it.
2. The 1976 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Bicentennial Quarter
One of the most desirable Bicentennial quarter varieties is the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). This type of error takes place in the manufacturing of dies when the hub stamps the design on a die more than once but with some misalignment.
What happens is a coin having clear doubling on some design elements of the obverse (front) side. The doubling can be seen clearly on the word “LIBERTY” and on the date “1776-1976” in the Bicentennial DDO quarter.
On close-up, distinct separation and doubling of these components can be viewed, especially for the letters “LIBE” and the numerals of the date. On the basis of doubling strength and coin condition, these DDO quarters can trade between $40 and $500 in circulated form.
In ungraded condition, especially in grades of MS-65 and higher, they can reach prices of $1,000 or more. One especially solid example graded MS-67 brought $3,200 at a specialty coin auction in 2021. Why this variety is especially appealing to collectors is that potentially, it may be found in circulation.
Although most have surfaced over the intervening years, always the chance some are still latent in general issue or in reserves of quarters sat aside decades previous.
3. The 40% Silver Bicentennial Quarter with Cameo Contrast
Although the great majority of the Bicentennial quarters were minted for circulation in standard copper-nickel clad specification, the United States Mint issued a special 40% silver version exclusively to collectors. These quarters were never minted for circulation and were only obtainable through the purchase of special mint sets or proof sets.
The value of some 40% silver Bicentennial quarters comes from the strong “cameo” or “deep cameo” contrast. This is the dramatic visual contrast between the frosted raised design features and the mirror-like fields (background) of the coin.
The best specimens have what numismatists refer to as “deep cameo” or “ultra cameo” contrast, where this difference is unusually strong. An ordinary 40% silver Bicentennial quarter in mint condition could sell for $5-$15, and proof specimens usually sell in the range of $10-$30.
But examples with outstanding cameo contrast that get the top grades from professional grading services can fetch considerably higher. A 40% silver proof Bicentennial quarter graded PR-70 DCAM (Deep Cameo) by PCGS brought $4,700 in 2022 a staggering premium for a coin that was originally sold by the Mint for only a few dollars.
The trick to spotting these silver quarters is to look at the edge of the coin. Silver Bicentennial quarters will have a solid silver-colored edge with no copper layer that can be seen, in contrast to the typical clad quarters that exhibit a visible copper sandwich layer when looked at from the edge.
4. The Bicentennial Quarter with Major Strike-Through Error
One of the most dramatic-looking and expensive Bicentennial quarter errors are “major strike-through” errors. These occur when a foreign object gets between the die and the planchet (blank coin) during the striking process, resulting in part of the design being obscured or missing.
One particularly valuable type is the “struck-through cloth” error, where a piece of cloth or fabric got caught in the minting press. These coins demonstrate a characteristic where some of the design is faded or textured, quite frequently having a fabric imprint retained within the metal.
Yet another dramatic type is the “struck-through grease” mistake, where too much lubricant from the minting equipment fills a portion of the die, creating a weak or missing strike for a portion of the design. When such mistakes are large and impact prominent design features, they can fetch tremendous premiums.
Major strike-through mistakes in Bicentennial quarters generally sell for $100 to $1,000 based on the extent and visual effect of the mistake. A particularly dramatic example in which almost half of the drummer boy design was covered up by a strike-through error sold for $1,725 at auction in 2020.
What makes these mistakes so collectible is their one-of-a-kind, unique nature. No two strike-through mistakes are alike, imparting each specimen a unique appearance and history. In addition, these dramatic errors on special commemorative coins such as the Bicentennial quarter are especially sought after by error collectors who enjoy the irony of critical errors appearing on coins that were intended to represent the Mint’s best craftsmanship.
5. The Bicentennial Quarter with Dramatic Die Crack
As coining dies wear over the process of striking thousands of coins, they may get cracks that subsequently carry over to coins as raised lines. While small die cracks are regular and contribute but little value, Bicentennial quarters showing spectacular, larger die cracks have considerable premiums potential.
The most desirable die crack types are those including the so-called “Bicentennial Drummer Boy Break,” in which a huge die crack extends through the colonial drummer figure on the back. In the most extreme instances, these cracks are so large that they create the illusion of the drummer boy being torn in two.
Depending on the size and position of the die crack, such quarters range in price from $25 to hundreds of dollars. An especially dramatic illustration with a die crack going right through the drummer boy out to the rim brought $450 in uncirculated grade in 2021.
Die cracks are especially fascinating to collectors because they record the actual collapse of the minting process. Every die crack gets bigger with the number of coins struck, building a sequence of varieties that experts can list in order to demonstrate the decay of the die over time.
How to Identify Valuable Bicentennial Quarters in Your Collection
If you’re motivated to go hunting for these valuable varieties, these are some hints to use in determining whether or not you have valuable Bicentennial quarters:
- Seek the dual date: First, check for Bicentennial quarters by searching for the dual date “1776-1976” on the front, as opposed to one year.
- Verify the composition: Inspect the rim of the coin to see if it’s the common copper-nickel clad (showing a visible copper layer) or the rarer 40% silver version (solid color silver with no copper visible).
- Inspect for doubling: Employ a magnifying glass or loupe to scrutinize the word “LIBERTY” and date carefully for doubling. Inspect for letter and number separation, shadowing.
- Search for missing mintmarks: Look under Washington’s bust for a mintmark. Coins minted in Philadelphia will have no mintmark, Denver will have a “D,” and San Francisco will have an “S.” Lacking an anticipated “S” mintmark on proof coins may feature the scarce “No S” type.
- Check for flaws: Check both sides of the coin for unusual characteristics such as die cracks (raised lines), strike-through flaws (regions where the design is muted or textured), or other imperfections.
- Grade the condition: With or without rare varieties, Bicentennial quarters in mint uncirculated state can fetch premiums. Check for coins that have no wear, original mint brilliance, and few contact marks.
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The Investment Potential of Rare Bicentennial Quarters
Though the possibility of encountering the rarest issues such as the “No S” proof in everyday circulation is very low, the other issues mentioned have been found in change, old collections, and even in stacks of quarters saved years ago.
This accessibility, along with the popularity of Bicentennial commemorative coins, makes these quarters an interesting place for new collectors to start. Prices for rare Bicentennial quarter types in the last ten years have appreciated steadily.
The union of numismatic demand, historic value, and true scarcity has produced a stable market for the coins. As with any collectible, condition is most important, with professionally graded pieces in higher grades drawing the highest premiums.
For those lucky enough to find one of these rare varieties, proper preservation is critical. Coins should be stored in non-PVC holders, handled only by the edges, and never cleaned or polished. In cases where high value is suspected, professional authentication and grading by services such as PCGS or NGC is advisable, as it will significantly enhance marketability and value.
5 Rare Bicentennial Quarter worth is $267 Million each
The Bicentennial quarter is not only a commemorative coin, but a tangible link to America’s 200th birthday and a valuable piece of numismatic history. While the vast majority of the 1.7 billion quarters produced will never be worth anything greater than 25 cents, the rare types highlighted here show that even common-appearing coins can have secrets hidden within them.
The next time you get change or dig through an old piggy bank, take a few seconds to look over any Bicentennial quarters you come across. Although the chances of finding a five-figure rarity are low, the excitement of the search and the potential to find something worth money injects a little fun into an otherwise mundane transaction. After all, numismatic history could be in your pocket right now, just waiting to be discovered.
FAQS:
What makes these Bicentennial Quarters worth $267 million each?
These rare quarters have unique minting errors, limited editions, or special compositions that make them extremely valuable to collectors.
What mint marks should I look for on a valuable Bicentennial Quarter?
Coins with an “S” mint mark (proof silver versions) or errors like double die strikes can be highly valuable.
What is the best way to preserve a rare quarter?
Store it in a protective case or holder to prevent damage and maintain its value over time.