You read that right—there are coins worth thousands of dollars! Who would have thought that the extra change in your pocket was so valuable? And they didn’t even know it!
What kind of coin is this? In fact, we’re talking about the Bicentennial Quarter of 1976.
Are you ready to find out if you have a fortune? Let’s jump right in!
This dull 25-cent coin is worth a lot more than what it’s worth. Even though it looks like any other coin, fans are willing to pay thousands of dollars for a certain type of this quarter. Read on.
What makes this quarter so valuable?
The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter was made to honor the 200th anniversary of the United States’ freedom. There were millions of these coins made, but only a few were really important. You may ask why? Okay, so only a few of them were valuable to fans because of some rare mistakes that happened when they were being made.
Many people are really excited about double-struck coins. Which of those “false” coins is the most valuable? It looks like the ones that are selling for crazy amounts of money are the ones that are in perfect mint shape.
If you find an old collection of coins in the back of a cupboard, give them a close examination. The most valuable type are bicentennials that have never been used in money. Other unique quarters might earn a good price, but the most valuable ones are the ones that have never been used in a laundromat or a vending machine.
Is $13,000 worth my quarter?
Your Bicentennial Quarters could be worth thousands of dollars if they meet certain conditions. Look for these things:
1. Double-struck error
This is where the gold is! The most valuable 1976 Bicentennial Quarters have a double-struck obverse, which is a rare minting error where the design shows up twice on the front, giving George Washington’s picture a “shadow” or overlapping look. They are crazy about this mistake because it is so rare.
2. High Mint State (MS68 or higher)
The next most valuable things are coins that are in Mint State, which means they’ve never been used. You will get paid if your coin is graded MS68 or better.
Here’s how to grade coins:
- MS60–MS64: Some small marks, but still shiny; worth looking into.
- MS65–MS67: This is the best value range. Not many things are wrong with these coins, and they can fetch a few hundred dollars.
- MS68–MS70: Mint to the core. A lot of money is paid for these very rare coins that have no signs of wear, even when looked at very closely.
How do I know if I have a valuable Bicentennial Quarter?
It’s about the little things! Check these things:
Design
The numbers 1776 and 1976 should be written on your quarter. On the front, there is a picture of George Washington. On the back, there is a picture of a colonial drummer holding a victory torch and 13 stars. This pattern was only used on coins for two years, from 1975 to 1976.
Mint Marks
Take a close look at the coin. Is there a mint mark on it? The Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) mints make the most expensive coins. The silver-clad coins from the San Francisco mint (S) are the most expensive because they contain more silver.
How much are these coins fetching at auction?
Here is a quick list of how much these coins have recently sold for at big auctions:
- Legend Rare Coin Auctions sold a 1976-D Clad Quarter in MS68 condition for $8,400 in 2023.
- The 1976-S Silver Quarter, MS69, was sold at Heritage Auctions in 2019 for $19,200.
- Heritage Auctions sold a 1976-S Clad Quarter, PR67 for $6,038.
- 1976-S Silver PR, MS68—At a Heritage Auction in 2011, it sold for $1,150.
Not just random eBay prices, these are real sale results from Heritage Auctions and Legend Rare Coin Auctions, two of the most reputable auction houses in the US!
How do I sell my Bicentennial Quarter?
You’ve looked at your quarter and it looks good. What will happen next? Of course, you should have a service like PCGS or NGC grade it for you to be sure of its state. After that, you can either sell it at a reliable auction house or to a licensed coin dealer.
Take another look the next time you empty your small change. The Bicentennial Quarter that’s in the bottom pocket of your pants could be worth a lot of money. You might be looking at a great collector’s item if it has the right amount of rarity, quality, and flaws.
How long are you going to wait? As you look through your spare change, you might just find a quarter worth a thousand dollars!
