The price of an extremely rare Bicentennial quarter can be as low as $2,000 if it is uncirculated or as high as $20,000 if it has a special error. These quarters were minted in 1975 and 1976 to commemorate America’s Bicentennial.
They have a design on the back and the dates 1776 and 1976 engraved around the outer rim. Most of the time, the high value is due to their low number of productions, their security, or errors made in minting, such as double dies or off-center minting.
Importance of Bicentennial Quarters
Rare Bicentennial quarters were produced to commemorate the United States Bicentennial, and such coins are valued as historically significant and collectible. Most of these quarters are common, but some can be extremely rare and sell for up to $19,700 if they have certain special features.
Few people will remember the United States 200th anniversary celebration that lasted all year in 1976. The country was flooded with rare Bicentennial quarters, collectibles, decorations, and more.
Another coin that was released during that event was the Bicentennial quarter that was produced by the U.S. Mint. Some of these have now become very valuable as America moves toward its 250th year.
Variations of the Bicentennial Quarter
As opposed to most other coins, the Mint struck coins from 1975 to 1976 for the 200th anniversary of the United States. For the first time, they included a reverse, and it was the first time in the 50 years of the series that a U.S. quarter had one.
Of these coins, the most valuable was a 1976-S Bicentennial silver quarter in very good grade. This flawed item sold at auction a few years ago for $19,200.
It would be a mistake to think that many of these quarters sell for high prices simply because of the bicentennial motif. In fact, many others have done just that.
Composition of Bicentennial Quarters
The U.S. Mint noticed that most of these coins were plated on the outside surface, making them a composition of layers of several metals, like a sandwich. Some of the metal elements cited in this production included nickel, copper, and zinc.
Some Bicentennial quarters contain as much as 40% silver. This distinction is important because, as you will soon see, silver coins are significantly more expensive due to their rarity.
The circular condition, or condition of the coin, also plays a role in determining the value of a particular piece. Circular coins that are in very good condition are given the highest prices.
Production of Bicentennial Quarters in Various Cities
Bicentennial quarters were made in various quantities in three different cities: 809,784,016 coins in Philadelphia, 860,118,839 in Denver, and 11,000,000 obsolete 40 percent silver coins, 7,059,099 proof-clad coins, and 4 million proof-clad 40 percent silver coins in San Francisco.
List of Bicentennial quarters that were worth over $1,000
Coin Name | Year | Sale Price | Sale Year |
---|---|---|---|
1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | $13,500 | 2019 |
Double Denomination 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on a Dime | 1976 | $9,200 | 2020 |
1976-D Clad DDO Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike | 1976 | $8,400 | 2023 |
1976-D Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike | 1976 | $6,463 | 2017 |
1976-S Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | $6,038 | 2010 |
1976-S Silver Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | $2,760 | 2007 |
1976 Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike | 1976 | $1,821 | 2023 |
Conclusion
Rare Bicentennial quarters not only hold historical significance but also extremely high numismatic value. Whether it is from the design aspect, mint errors, or rarity, collecting them is sure to fill many collectors with pride.
Bicentennial quarters are an important part of American history and have unparalleled collecting value. If you own one of these coins, preserve it, as it could be a priceless heirloom.
FAQs
Q. What is the significance of the Bicentennial quarter?
A. The Bicentennial quarters were minted as a commemoration of the American Bicentennial celebrations.
Q. What is characteristic of the Drummer Boy Bicentennial quarter?
A. The design of this quarter is of a colonial drummer indicating freedom within the country.
Q. Why is the silver Bicentennial quarter valuable?
A. It was minted in very limited quantities and has a very high silver content.
Q. What types of error Bicentennial quarters are there?
A. These quarters are characterized by special errors such as doubled dies, off-center strikes, and missing mint marks.
Q. What coins are included in the valuable list of rare Bicentennial quarters?
A. The 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial quarter, the 1976-D Clad DDO Bicentennial quarter, and the 1976-D Clad Bicentennial quarter regular strike.