Harold Cox
About the Author:
Harold Cox jokes that he is a museum guide full-time and a coin collector for a lifetime. He developed a fascination in childhood when his grandfather gave him a rare old quarter. By the time Harold was in university studying history, he was already a regular at coin fairs, trading with seasoned collectors.
Now Halord works at the Mint Museum in Wales. Every day, he shares mintage facts and the history of some of the oldest UK pieces. He is a respected guide and an experienced collector. He knows US and UK coinage like the back of his hand.
Collaboration:
Harold wrote several articles for numismatic websites and apps. He covered various topics, like mint marks, identification, and grading. He’s still writing more articles when he’s free from his museum activities.
Harold was also an invited speaker for National Coin Week events. He shared his collector’s endeavors and advised on the best ways to evaluate various pieces.
Harold Cox is an educated expert in coinage’s history, variety, and value. He knows the value of most US coins: dollars, half-dollars, dimes, and quarters.
Connect with Harold:
1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter Overview
The U.S. Mint released this quarter in 1976 to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary. That’s why it’s called “Bicentennial”, and has the date 1776, while it was minted in 1976.
Observe: Portrait of George Washington, facing left. A classical design for most quarters. The inscription “LIBERTY” is above his head, and the date “1776–1976” is at the bottom. The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is to the left of Washington’s neck. You’ll find the mint mark to the right of Washington’s hair ribbon.
Reverse: A Colonial drummer facing left, with a drum strapped to his chest. To the left of the drummer, there’s a torch encircled by 13 stars. These stars represent the original colonies. Inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arch the top, “QUARTER DOLLAR” arches the bottom. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is on the left, just above the torch.
One interesting design element of this piece is a Colonial drummer you see on the reverse. In early wars from the 1700-1800’s young boys often served as drummers to bolster men’s spirits.
Many of these brave boys volunteered and were killed during the wars. This design reminds us of the young boys’ brave sacrifice.
| The main characteristics of the quarter dollar 1776 to 1976 | |
| Country | United States |
| Years of Minting | 1975-1976 |
| Type: | Standard circulation |
| Shape: | Round |
| Composition and metal content | 75% Copper, 25% Nickel |
| Diameter | 24.30 mm |
| Weight | 5.67 gram |
| The Mints | The Philadelphia Mint, The Denver Mint, The San Francisco Mint |
The 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar value is not sky-high. Only 25¢ for face value, but certain varieties and errors are highly collectible.
Types of Bicentennial Quarters & Their Values
Bicentennial quarters have at least three varieties.
- Standard Clad Quarters (Copper-Nickel, 1975–1976). Those include Philadelphian and Denver releases.
- Silver Bicentennial Quarters (40% Silver, 1975–1976). Consists of San Francisco-made pieces.
- Rare Errors & Varieties. Mostly consists of Philadelphia and Denver mintage.
We will start with the most recognizable standard line. No-marks and D-marks.
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar No Mint Mark Value
Look for: a blank space to the right of Washington’s ribbon.
Mintage: 809,784,016.
Value: 25¢ to $1 in circulated condition. $5–$10 per roll (40 coins) in uncirculated.
1776 to 1976 D Quarter Dollar Value
Look for: a “D” mint mark on the observe. To the right of Washington’s ribbon.
Mintage: 860,118,839.
Value: 25¢ to $1 in circulated condition. $5–$10 per roll (40 coins) in uncirculated.
The 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar D is similar in value to its no-mark counterpart.
| Type | Grade | Value Range |
| Circulated clad (P/D) | Circulated | 25¢-$1 |
| MS60–MS65 | $1–$10 |
Silver Bicentennial Quarters
One mint mark we haven’t talked about is an “S” mark, for the San Francisco Mint. They made a special release. While D and no-int coins are copper-based, S-ones are silver.
Look for: an “S” mark to the right of Washington’s ribbon.
Mintage: 11,000,000.
Value: $2–$5 in circulated condition. $5–$20+ in uncirculated.
| Silver business strike (S) | Circulated | $2–$5 |
| MS60–MS65 | $5–$20 | |
| MS66 | $25–$60+ |
1976-S Silver Proof
Look for: an “S” mark to the right of Washington’s ribbon. The surface has an impeccable frosted mirror finish.
Mintage: 4,000,000
Value: $10–$50 in high-grade conditions.
| Proof clad (S) | PR60–PR68 | $1–$5 |
| PR69–PR70 DCAM | $10–$40+ | |
| Proof silver (S) | PR60–PR68 | $5–$15 |
| PR69–PR70 DCAM | $20–$80+ |
Proof coins are special, high-quality releases. They’re made not for circulation, but for collecting foremost. Proof quarter dollar value 1776 to 1976 is higher than normal versions, but lower than error pieces.
Hey, how do you differentiate between a normal S-mark quarter and its proof release? This table can help.
| Feature | Silver Proof Quarter | Silver Uncirculated (Business Strike) Quarter |
| Finish | Mirror-like fields with frosted details (proof finish) | Satin to slightly glossy finish (no mirror-like surfaces) |
| Strike Type | Struck using polished dies on specially prepared blanks, struck twice | Struck once under standard pressure |
| Mintmark | “S” | “S” |
| Packaging (originally) | Came in proof sets (hard plastic case) | Came in 3-coin silver uncirculated sets or Mint Sets |
| Visual Test | Sharp details, cameo contrast | Smooth, less reflective finish |
| Edge | Solid silver edge | Solid silver edge |
Types of Bicentennial Quarters & Their Values
Rarity is a deciding factor for how much is 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar worth.
Flawed coins are one of the rarest and offer a lot of value. Let’s see the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar drummer boy error list. Photos included.
1976-D Doubled Die
Look for: Design elements, such as mint marks and leaves, that look like they were pressed twice.
Value: $50–$500+
Error cause: Duplication of design elements, such as numbers, letters, or images, due to a misalignment during the die creation process.
A very valuable 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar drummer boy error. Especially when it’s combined with other errors.
Off-Center Strikes
Look for: The design that appears shifted to one side. A portion of the coin is blank where the die missed.
Value: $20–$200+ depending on the severity.Error cause: The blank coin (called a planchet) is not properly aligned within the coin press when it is struck. As a result, part of the design is missing, and part of the planchet may be blank.
Filled Mint Mark
Look for: Look at the mint mark. It should appear blurry. It can also look like a blob or a raised bump where the mint mark should be sharp and clear.
Value: $100+ depending on the severity.
Error cause: Mintmark is partially or completely obscured or filled in with metal during the minting process. This results in a mint mark that looks blurry, shallow, or missing in spots.
IN COD WE TRUST
Look for: at the motto on the observe. It should normally read IN GOD WE TRUST, but in this case, we have COD.
Value: $100+ depending on the severity.
Error cause: The most common cause is die doubling. The die itself was created with doubled letters during the hubbing process.
Probably the funniest error on the list. Unfortunately, quite common for various quarters, so it doesn’t offer too much in the value department.
Missing Clad
Look for: A piece that is missing a layer. Some parts are exposed, seemingly from a different material. The whole look is damaged.
Value: $20-$100.
Error cause: The coin’s outer layer(s) fail to bond properly to the copper core.
Most modern quarters (including Bicentennial releases) are clad pieces. Clad is an outer nickel layer. Pieces with this error have damaged or missing clad pieces.
No Mintmark (Philadelphia) Errors
It’s not an actual 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar error! But some people claim that they have “a rare coin with a missing mint mark!”
No, this bit doesn’t miss anything. It’s just a piece from the Philadelphia Mint. Don’t let scammers fool you into buying an ordinary piece.
How to Identify a Valuable Bicentennial Quarter
This little guide might help you in finding the highest quarter dollar 1776 to 1976 value examples.
1. Check the Mintmark. Go to the observe side and look at Washington’s hair ribbon. What letter is on its right?
- No Mintmark (Philadelphia). Has a big mintage and the highest error chances. Rare errors are possible.
- “D” (Denver): Common clad coins. Medium value across the board.
- “S” (San Francisco): Silver or proof coins (higher value).
2. Look for Silver Content. These quarters come in silver and copper. Silver is a more precious metal. There are three best ways to check the metal composition.
- Weigh It: 40% silver quarters weigh 5.75g. Copper-based clad weighs only 5.67g.
- Check the coin’s edge: Silver coins have a solid silver edge, unlike copper strikes.
- Listen to the sound: Silver has a duller ring compared to copper.
3. Inspect for Errors. All quarter dollar 1776 to 1976 precious pieces have at least one error. The most common ones are:
- Doubled Dies: Check lettering and dates for overlapping.
- Off-Center Strikes: Partial or misaligned designs.
4. Look for special versions. Proof pieces have a unique look to them.
- Proof quarters have mirror-like frosted surfaces.
- Proof pieces were minted exclusively at the San Francisco Mint and sold in special sets.
- A deep cameo proof in perfect condition (PR69 or PR70) can bring $25–$100+ value.
5. Understand coin grading. Proof pieces are known for their high grading, but what exactly is grading? Grading is are rule-based coin rating. Coins with the best finishes, states, and shines have the highest gradings.
| Grade | Description | Characteristics |
| PO-1 to G-4 | Poor to Good | Very worn; little to no design detail preserved |
| VG-8 to F-12 | Very Good to Fine | Moderate wear, but major details are still visible |
| VF-20 to EF-45 | Very Fine to Extremely Fine | Light wear, strong details preserved |
| AU-50 to AU-58 | About Uncirculated | Almost no wear; traces of contact under magnifying glass or loupe |
| MS-60 to MS-70 | Mint State (Uncirculated) | No wear; MS-70 is a perfect coin |
| PR-60 to PR-70 | Proof coins only | Special minting; PR-70 is flawless and very precious |
Grading is the last puzzle piece to really understand the value of a bit. Hopefully now you have full understanding of the value of this precious anniversary quarter.
FAQ
Let’s have a look at some other questions you might have!
Are All Bicentennial Quarters Silver?
No. The vast majority of Bicentennial quarters (hundreds of millions) are clad, struck for circulation by Philadelphia and Denver. Clad is mostly copper. Only a small fraction was struck in 40% silver by the San Francisco Mint. Those were never released into circulation.
What Makes a 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Rare?
The smaller the mintage, the rarer the coinage. Error pieces and special releases are considerably lower in numbers. All special releases (proof and silver) have an S-mark on their observe. Error cases often have off-centered parts or have double-die designs.
How Can I Tell If My Bicentennial Quarter Is Silver?
A silver release has noticeable differences from other releases. Silver quarters all have an S mint mark. The edge should be silver. The weight should be noticeable, about 5.7 grams. The finish is shiny and silvery. Finally, if that’s an official piece, the package clearly states the material and release.
What Is the Most Valuable Bicentennial Quarter Error?
Off-centered and double die errors give the highest United States of America quarter dollar 1776 to 1976 value. This quarter has other errors, like a 90% Silver Planchet strike, when the piece was accidentally made with more silver. Such coins are extremely valuable, but so rare that they can be considered non-existent.
Where Is the Mintmark on a Bicentennial Quarter?
You can find the mintmark on the observe (front) side of the coin. Just to the right of George Washington’s neck. To be more precise, right to his ribbon.
Are Bicentennial Quarters Still in Circulation?
Yes, Bicentennial quarters are still found in circulation today. The piece is not too old, and the mintage was gigantic, over a billion. This helped preserve the piece for circulation. The silver versions and proof sets were special issues and are not typically found in circulation.
Where Can I Sell a Rare Bicentennial Quarter?
Today, online dealership is constantly growing, and developers have found ways to make it safer. You can sell coins on eBay, a popular platform, where you can list your coin for auction or a fixed price. Heritage Auctions and other specialized auction sites for rare coins are very safe, too.
Why Does The 1776–1976 Quarter Have Two Dates?
1776 is the year the U.S. declared independence from Britain. Not the actual mintage year. 1976 marks 200 years later the year of the Bicentennial celebration and also the mintage year. This is why this piece has double dates, for commemoration and the factual mintage.
What Is the Most Valuable Bicentennial Quarter Ever Sold?
The record for the most valuable 1776–1976 Bicentennial Quarter goes to an extraordinary 1976-S Silver-clad bicentennial quarter. It was sold for a jaw-dropping $19,200.
Is the Bicentennial Quarter Rare?
Most 1776–1976 Bicentennial pieces are not rare. They had a mintage of over a billion coins, and they’re not too old. Some specific types and errors can be valuable and sought after by collectors, like silver releases.
How Can I Identify a Proof Bicentennial Quarter?
Proof pieces were made only at the San Francisco Mint, so they all share an S-mark. You’ll find the “S” mint mark on the obverse (front) of the coin, to the right of Washington’s hair ribbon. The state of the piece should be excellent, with a mirror-like finish.