Yes, you read right: There are coins out there worth THOUSANDS!! I never would have suspected you had so much spare change in your pocket—something so valuable. Without even meant to!
What coin can be so special? In fact, we are already talking about the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter.
Still wondering if you’re digging for a fortune? Let’s dive in!
This 25-cent coin is worth way more than face value, despite its stealth pricing. These are ordinary coins, at least on the surface, but there is a good reason within collectors they are selling thousands for specific variants. Just keep on reading.
What makes this quarter so valuable?
In 1976, American independence was celebrated in the form of the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter. Many millions of these coins were struck, but a few were very valuable. Why, you ask? As a side note, only a few turned out to be valuable to the eyes of collectors for rare errors during the minting process.
I am sure collectors are nuts for double-struck coins. What are the most valuable of the “misprinted” coins? The only ones finding insane prices seem to be the ones that are cored in perfect mint condition.
So if you happen to find an old forgotten coin collection in the bottom of a cupboard, take a close look. The most valuable kind are bicentennials that have never entered the economy’s circulation. Other special quarters may bring a nifty sum, but the most valuable are those never used in a laundromat or a vending machine.
Is my quarter worth $13,000?
Your bicentennial quarters might very well be worth thousands if they meet certain qualifications. Here’s what you should look for:
1. Double-struck error
This is the goldmine! The rarest versions of the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter include a double-struck obverse where both the die’s design and Washington’s likeness appear twice on the front, leaving an impression, or shadow, behind it. The error is just so unique that it drives collectors wild.
2. Another high MS State (MS68 or higher)
The next big ticket things are coins in Mint State, meaning they have not been circulated. If your coin will carry an MS68 or higher grade, you’re going to have a payday.
Here’s how coins are graded:
- MS60-MS64: Lacquered some light marks but still has luster—worth looking into.
- MS65-MS67: This is the place where value really resonates. Nearly flawless and worth a few hundred dollars, these coins.
- MS68-MS70: Mint perfection. They are the thousand coins to be sold, with no visible wear, even with magnification.
How do I know if I have a valuable Bicentennial Quarter?
It’s all about the details! Here’s what you need to check:
Design
The dual dates are 1776-1976 on your quarter. George Washington appears on the obverse and a colonial drummer, with a victory torch, holds 13 stars on the reverse. Only 1975 and 1976 were minted of this design.
Mint Marks
Look closely at the coin. Does it have a mint mark? The Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mints produce the most valuable versions. Silver-clad coins from the San Francisco mint (S) are particularly valuable because of the higher silver content.
How much are these coins fetching at auction?
- 1976-D Clad Quarter, MS68—Sold for $8,400 by Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2023.
- 1976-S Silver Quarter, MS69—$19,200 in 2019 (heritage auctions).
- 1976-S Clad Quarter – PR67; Sold by Heritage Auctions for $6,038.
- 1976-S Silver PR, MS68—Sold for $1,150 Heritage Auction 2011.
These aren’t dinky eBay prices—these are real bids that Heritage Auctions and Legend Rare Coin Auctions had in the last few years!
How do I sell my Bicentennial Quarter?
You’ve checked your quarter, and it’s looking good. What’s next? Now you’ll want to have it professionally graded by a service such as PCGS or NGC to authenticate its condition. Then, if you want, you can either sell it to a reputable auction house or to a certified coin dealer.
The next time you’re emptying your pocket, take a watch. That Bicentennial Quarter in the bottom of your trousers pocket might be worth thousands of dollars. But if it has the right mix of rarity, condition and error, it could be an amazing collector’s trophy.
So, what are you waiting for? You start searching through your loose change and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a thousand-dollar quarter.
