Check your pockets: Rare Bicentennial quarter is worth $19,200
In 1976, the U.S. was awash with Bicentennial fever with red, white and blue everywhere to celebrate America’s 200th birthday. The U.S. Mint got in on the celebration as well, producing a special line of Bicentennial Quarters, many of which are still in circulation today.
Some of the Bicentennial Quarters are worth exactly what you’d think they’d be – 25 cents. But others are worth much more, including one worth more than $19,000.
According to the U.S. Mint, Bicentennial Quarters were produced in 1975 and 1976. The coin’s face was the same as the traditional quarter, depicting first President George Washington facing the left but the reverse featured a colonial drummer and a victory torch circled by 13 stars to represent the 13 original colonies. All of the coins were inscribed with the dates 1776-1976.
According to Chronicle Collectibles, some of the Bicentennial Quarters were clad, meaning they were made of multiple layers of different metals. The rest, however, were composed of 40% silver, and those are the more valuable ones. The condition of the coin and its mint mark indicating where it was minted also drive up the price.
The greatest number of Bicentennial Quarters, more than 860 million, were minted in Denver (D), followed by Philadelphia (P) with 809 million and San Francisco (S) with 11 million.
“The 40% silver Bicentennial quarters, which were minted in San Francisco, are composed of 40% silver and 60% copper. These coins have a more golden color and are slightly heavier than the clad versions. The 40% silver Bicentennial quarters were produced in limited quantities and were sold to collectors in special sets. They weigh 5.75 grams,” Chronicle Collectibles noted. “Due to the higher silver content and greater rarity, the 40% silver Bicentennial quarters are considered to be more valuable than the clad versions.”
The most valuable ones are:
- 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Silver (Regular Strike): $19,200
- 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Silver (Proof): $13,500
- 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Regular Strike): $6,462
- 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Proof): $6,038
- 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Regular Strike): $1,119