Coin enthusiasts rejoiced over the Bicentennial Quarter, which was minted in 1976 to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. According to some rumors, lucky coins like these have been tipped as being affordable for about $250,000.
Have you ever gone through some spare change and thought about the possibility of holding onto something valuable? Maybe a rare Bicentennial Quarter worth $250,000, right now in your pocket! Coin collectors as well as fans of coinage have gone all out hunting for this coveted 1976 quarter that immensely increased in valuation due to scanty minting errors and special features. In this piece, we will explore on what this coin was so valuable for, how to spot one, and whether you could be plausibly the fortunate owner of a windfall in loose change!
Bicentennial Quarter
At the beginning of the 1970s, the US Mint determined that it would produce special coins for the nation’s bicentennial. Where once appeared an eagle stamp upon the quarter, the new design by Jack L. Ahr reflects a colonial drummer-and signals the start of another chapter in American history.
Also inscribed on the coin are the dates “1776–1976,” evocation of the nation’s 200th birthday, being minted in 1975, during the whole of 1976.
Bicentennial Quarter Overview
| Authority | U.S. Mint |
| Name of Coin | Bicentennial Quarter |
| Minting Year | 1976 |
| Value | Typically 25 cents; up to $250,000 for rare error coins |
| Types | Silver Proof, Silver Uncirculated, Clad |
| Myth | $250,000 value is a myth |
| Beneficiaries | Coin collectors, history enthusiasts |
| Category | Rare Bicentennial |
| Official Website | https://www.usmint.gov/ |
The Bicentennial Quarters
The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints produced more than 1.7 billion Bicentennial Quarters.
Three major forms include: 40% silver proof quarters (San Francisco), 40% silver uncirculated quarters (San Francisco), and copper-nickel clad quarters (Philadelphia and Denver).
They cladded quarters were extensively used by the people, but the silver ones were sold to collectors for a hefty price.
The myth of a typical Bicentennial quarter being worth $250,000 has more to do with misleading headlines and misinterpretation of auction results than with reality. In fact, most such quarters would only be valued at 25 cents. If those were not circulated, they would normally go for $1 to $2.
Rare Error Coins
Error coins in the quarter denomination enjoy a very high level of desirability and value. Double die errors (where design elements appear doubled), off-center strikes (design that is misaligned), and wrong planchet errors (coins struck on blanks intended for other coins) can greatly boost a coin’s value.
A 1976 proof Bicentennial Quarter struck without the “S” mint mark has sold for between $15,000 and $35,000.
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Condition and Value
The condition of a coin greatly impacts its value. Bicentennial Quarters professionally graded MS-68 or better will sell for many hundreds or thousands of dollars. Coins that are unblemished are more valuable and rare.
Myth of the $250,000 Bicentennial Quarter
The $250,000 rumor probably arises from a muddling together of other quite-valued quarters, hyped headlines, and auction results of rare error coins. Simply put, the market price of the Bicentennial Quarter is undervalued, offset by the news where some rare quarters of many other years often tend to reach the six-figure mark.
FAQS:
Are all Bicentennial quarters all valuable?
Not all Bicentennial quarters are valuable, as most can be found at their face value of 25 cents-unless they either have rare errors or are in a special condition.
Can one find a Bicentennial Quarter worth $250,000?
No; the value of $250,000 is a myth-in general, due to a confusion with other valuable coins or the auction results of rare errors.
How do I check the value of my Bicentennial Quarter?
You could submit it for grading by a professional; coins of MS-68 or higher grade, or coins with unusual errors, could be valuable.