The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is one of the most recognizable U.S. coins, minted to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. Featuring a distinctive colonial drummer design and the dual date “1776-1976,” these quarters were produced in massive quantities—over 1.7 billion, to be exact. That means most of them are only worth face value. But here’s the twist: a few rare versions have surfaced that are worth thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. Could you be holding one of these hidden treasures?
The Story Behind the Bicentennial Quarter
Back in the mid-1970s, Americans were gearing up for a major celebration—the nation’s bicentennial. The U.S. Mint decided to mark the occasion by redesigning the reverse of three coins: the quarter, half-dollar, and dollar. Jack L. Ahr’s winning design for the quarter depicted a Revolutionary War drummer, a symbol of patriotism and resilience.
Production began in 1975 and continued through 1976 at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints. Philadelphia and Denver produced business-strike coins for everyday use, while San Francisco struck special collector’s editions, including both copper-nickel clad and 40% silver versions. While most Bicentennial Quarters are common, a few rare errors and high-grade specimens are worth serious money.
The Rare Varieties That Fetch Big Bucks
1. Doubled Die Varieties—The Big Money Makers
One of the most sought-after Bicentennial Quarter errors is the doubled die variety—a mistake that happens when the coin’s design is accidentally stamped more than once, creating a slight but noticeable doubling effect.
The most valuable version, known as DDO-001 (Doubled Die Obverse), shows clear doubling on “LIBERTY” and Washington’s profile. The more dramatic the doubling, the higher the value:
- AU-55 (About Uncirculated): $300–$450
- MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated): $800–$1,200
- MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated): $2,000–$3,000
- MS-67 (Superb Gem): $15,000–$20,000
- MS-67+ (Near Perfect): $35,000–$45,000
One lucky collector sold an MS-67+ example at auction in 2023 for a whopping $48,500—not bad for a 25-cent coin!
2. The Elusive “No S” Proof Quarter
Most proof Bicentennial Quarters from the San Francisco Mint have an “S” mint mark. But a few slipped through without the “S”, making them extremely rare. These so-called No S Proof Quarters are worth a fortune:
- PR-68 Deep Cameo (near-perfect condition): $32,500
- PR-69 Deep Cameo: $40,000–$55,000
With fewer than 20 verified specimens known to exist, this is one of the holy grails of Bicentennial Quarters.
3. Striking Errors—The Quarters That Shouldn’t Exist
Sometimes, the U.S. Mint makes big mistakes, and collectors love it when they do! Here are some of the most valuable striking errors found in Bicentennial Quarters:
- Off-center strikes (where the design is misaligned): $150–$3,000 depending on how dramatic the misalignment is.
- Multiple-struck coins (hit more than once by the minting press): Up to $18,500 for extreme cases.
- Quarters struck on the wrong planchet (metal blank meant for another coin):
- Struck on a dime planchet: $2,800–$4,000
- Struck on a nickel planchet: $2,500–$3,800
- Struck on a silver dollar planchet: Up to $18,000
The most bizarre error? A Bicentennial Quarter struck on a 40% silver Eisenhower dollar planchet, which sold for $17,500 at auction!
Silver Quarters vs. Clad Quarters—Know the Difference!
Not all Bicentennial Quarters were made from the usual copper-nickel mix. The San Francisco Mint also struck a limited number of 40% silver quarters for collectors. While these aren’t extremely rare, they’re still worth more than face value:
- PR-69 Deep Cameo (high-grade proof): $40–$60
- PR-70 Deep Cameo (perfect condition): $150–$250
- MS-70 (perfect uncirculated silver quarter): $400–$550
The highest price paid for a 40% silver Bicentennial Quarter? An MS-68+ example that fetched $9,200!
Condition Is Everything—High-Grade Quarters Bring High Prices
Even if you don’t have a rare error, a Bicentennial Quarter in top condition can still be worth big bucks. The reason? Collectors love high-grade coins, and the best-preserved ones command premium prices.
- Philadelphia (No Mint Mark):
- MS-67: $200–$300
- MS-67+: $800–$1,200
- MS-68: $3,000–$5,000
- Denver (“D” Mint Mark):
- MS-67: $250–$350
- MS-67+: $1,000–$1,400
- MS-68: $6,000–$8,000
Coins graded MS-67 and above are incredibly rare because most quarters from circulation show signs of wear. If you think you have a perfect one, it’s worth getting it professionally graded.
How to Tell If Your Quarter Is Valuable
With so many Bicentennial Quarters out there, how can you tell if you have a rare one? Here’s a quick checklist:
Look for doubling on “LIBERTY” and Washington’s profile (use a magnifying glass!) Check for a missing “S” mint mark on proof quarters See if the design is off-center or misaligned Weigh your quarter—silver ones weigh 5.75 grams, while clad versions weigh 5.67 grams Check for unusual colors—a silver quarter has a distinct look compared to the copper-nickel version Consider getting it graded if you suspect it’s in top condition
Final Thoughts—Is Your Bicentennial Quarter Worth a Fortune?
While most 1976 Bicentennial Quarters are only worth a quarter, a few rare and valuable varieties are out there waiting to be discovered. From dramatic minting errors to high-grade specimens, some of these coins have sold for tens of thousands of dollars. As the 50th anniversary in 2026 approaches, interest in these historic coins is expected to grow—so now might be the perfect time to check your old change jar!
Who knows? That ordinary-looking quarter in your pocket might just turn out to be a jackpot.