Issued in 1975 and 1976 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, bicentennial quarters have a special place in the hearts of many coin collectors. If you have some of these special coins, it's handy to know a bit about rare bicentennial quarters that can be worth way more than their face value of 25 cents.
How rare are bicentennial quarters? About 1.7 billion bicentennial quarters were issued in 1975 and 1976, so the standard-issue coin isn't really considered rare. However, even though lots of these quarters exist, certain variations are rare.
Three Rare and Valuable Bicentennial Quarters
Most 1976 quarters aren't especially valuable, even though they are super cool. However, these three rare bicentennial quarters are worth thousands. Get to know them in case you have one in your collection.
| Rare Bicentennial Quarter | Value |
|---|---|
| 1976-S Silver-clad bicentennial quarter | $19,200 |
| 1976-D Doubled-die obverse bicentennial quarter | $8,400 |
| 1976-S Deep cameo proof bicentennial quarter | $2,760 |
1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter
Although most bicentennial quarters were made of the standard copper and nickel, some are made of 40% silver. Standard-issue coins came from the Denver and Philadelphia Mints, but the special silver ones came from the San Francisco Mint. Condition matters here for the value. Many of these coins have been circulated, but if you have one in mint condition, it could be worth a lot. One in excellent condition sold for $19,200 in 2019.
1976-D Doubled-Die Obverse Bicentennial Quarter
Minting errors often add value to coins because they're so rare. This is true with bicentennial quarter values, too, especially in the case of the famous doubled-die obverse. Like other bicentennial quarters, the front of this coin shows George Washington's profile and the dates 1776-1976. However, the back is different. The reverse shows a drummer boy like any other bicentennial quarter, but the die is doubled (or stamped twice in slightly different spots). In high grades, this is an incredibly rare bicentennial quarter and can be worth a lot. One in pristine condition sold for $8,400 in 2023.
1976-S Deep Cameo Proof Bicentennial Quarter
While some of the silver quarters minted in San Francisco entered circulation, others were part of proof sets. Proof coins aren't really intended for circulation, although some of them do end up changing hands. Especially beautiful proof coins, such as the deep cameo bicentennial quarter, can be worth a lot. The details in coins like this are very sharp and deep. One in mint condition sold for $2,760 in 2007.
Related: 10 Valuable Error Coins Proving That Weirdness Is Worth a Lot
Factors Affecting Bicentennial Quarter Values
Because there are so many bicentennial quarters out there, it's good to take a closer look at what might make one valuable. If you have a coin that has some of these factors, you might just have a treasure.
- Mint location - The special silver quarters come from the San Francisco Mint, so they have an "S" on them. While this alone doesn't make them worth a ton, it can help with value.
- Condition - Any coin in beautiful condition will be worth more than a worn one, all other factors being equal. A lot of bicentennial quarters got handled a lot, so they tend to be pretty worn. If you have one in great shape, it could be worth more.
- Errors - Anything weird in a coin is worth checking out. That's true with the bicentennial quarter, especially the doubled-die obverse. Grab a magnifying glass and look for subtle doubled letters and numbers on the back.
- Metal content - A bicentennial quarter's value is also affected by the metal in it. Because silver is a precious metal, the quarters that are 40% silver are worth more in any condition.
Related: 10 Most Valuable US Quarters Coin Collectors Dream About
Check Your Change for Valuable Quarters
Even though not every bicentennial quarter's value will be in the thousands, it's worth checking your change to see what you might have. Silver coins, those with weird errors, and anything in great condition can be worth more than the standard 25 cents. And when it comes to historical significance, every single one of the nearly 1.7 billion quarters made represents an important moment in US history.
