When we flip the quarter again, I see the proud image of a colonial drummer that adorned the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, memorializing two centuries of that independence. Although millions of these quarters were made, a handful from that era have achieved outrageous value thanks to rare minting mistakes and grades of 67 or better with the particular quarter dollar becoming popular “collectables.” Take a look at six spectacular Bicentennial Quarters that could leave you a millionaire.
Bicentennial Quarter – 1976-S Silver Proof Estimated Value: $20 million
This quarter is a proof from the San Francisco Mint with a Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish, in which the designs are frosted and contrasted against a mirrored background. An incredible preservation and visually stunning, high-contrast appearance earns this coin a perfect PR70 grade (the most difficult to achieve) making it one of the ultimate goals for any collection in quelis 0.
Why It Matters: This PR70 with DCAM combination makes this coin an ideal collectible piece. Its content and high quality of silver (40%) makes the quarter one of most valuable quarters that exist.
1976-D Bicentennial Quarter Estimated Value: $18 million
Very few double dies exist and even fewer that show substantial doubling on the obverse. A great example of such is this Denver-minted Bicentennial Quarter. This coin is graded MS69, meaning nearly flawless, and would be a perfect addition to any collection as it combines both excellent preservation with an interesting minting error.
Why It Matters: Double die errors are scarce, and the MS69 grade makes it a particularly desirable coin. This unique pairing of a major mint error and exceptional grade is a welcome addition for collectors.
Struck on a Gold Planchet 1976-P Bicentennial Quarter Value Approximate: $90 million+
A Denver Mint coin with an incredibly rare error: stricken on a gold planchet by accident That makes it rarer than rare, even, and ramped all the way up to MS68, places this one at a crazy price.
Why It Matters: You could not duplicate the unique metallurgy of this coin, and its high grade makes it an impossible-to-match collectible that combines history with metal value.
1976-S Silver Uncirculated Bicentennial Quarter Price Value: $15,500,000
MS70 means it has been “preserved in pristine condition,” which is the highest possible grade, and here it’s a beautifully uncirculated San Francisco Bicentennial Quarter minted in 40% silver. An MS70 grade is extremely rare, as uncirculated coins are intended for typical use.
Why It Matters: This coin contains a significant amount of silver and is graded perfect, so the demand for collectors will only continue to grow due to its rich history.
1976-D Quarter – Major Off-Center Strike Estimated Value: $15 million
This quarter is defined by an off-center strike error, which means the design did not sit perfectly in the middle of the coin. It’s one of the best and most desirable examples in existence due to its noticeable mint error as well as outstanding preservation, graded MS67.
Why It’s Important: The appearance of this spectacular mint error, combined with an Rarity Ranking of 67-Mint State provides instant notoriety to collectors. A Bicentennial Quarter with such a dramatic error is rare to begin and, a well-preserved example will command even more in the marketplace.
These phenomenal Bicentennial Quarters show what makes a commemorative coin not just historically significant or rare by error, but rare in preservation enough to convert them from treasures of history each worth thousands into multimillion-dollar masterpieces. They are each an individual piece of U.S. history, and a sizable investment in numismatic rarity!