The United States Bicentennial coinage has a quarter, half dollar, and dollar, all made in 1975 and 1976. No coins from these types were dated 1975—they all show the double date 1776–1976 on the front (obverse), honoring 200 years of American independence.
When talking about bicentennials related to George Washington, it could mean two things. The first was in 1932, celebrating 200 years since his birth—that’s when he first appeared on the 25-cent coin. The second was in 1976, celebrating 200 years of U.S. independence, shown through these special coins with a two-date design.
Among them, several Bicentennial Quarters have become very valuable because of their rare errors, high grades, or limited mint types like silver proofs and deep cameos. After reviewing all, we can ensure that some of the most valuable Bicentennial Quarters sold for thousands of dollars, with unique pieces like the Double Denomination Ike Dollar on Quarter selling for as much as $28,000.
So yes, Bicentennial Quarters can be highly valuable—and are worth checking in your collection or spare change.
United States Bicentennial Coinage – A Brief History
To celebrate America’s 200th birthday in 1976, the U.S. Mint released special Bicentennial coins—a quarter, half dollar, and dollar—featuring the double date 1776–1976. These were made during 1975 and 1976, and no coins for these three types were dated 1975.
At first, the U.S. Mint didn’t support the idea. Since the 1950s, they have avoided commemorative coins due to past problems, like the failed Booker T. Washington and Carver coins, which couldn’t sell well and were mishandled. But public interest in honoring the Bicentennial grew.
Eventually, Mint Director Mary Brooks changed her mind and supported the idea. Congress approved new reverse designs through a national contest:
- A Colonial drummer for the quarter
- Independence Hall for the half dollar
- The Liberty Bell with the Moon for the Dollar
Most coins were made in copper nickel, but Congress also approved 45 million part-silver coins for collectors. These coins became a lasting symbol of America’s 200th year and are still popular with collectors today.
Most Valuable Bicentennial Quarter Coins
- 1976 Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike
- 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike
- Double Denomination 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on a Dime
- 1976-S Clad Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-S Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-S Silver Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-D Clad DDO Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike
- 1976-S Clad Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-S Clad Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-S Silver Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976 Clad Bicentennial Quarter Minted in 1975
- 1976-S Clad Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- 1976-D Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike
- Double Denomination Bicentennial Dollar Over Bicentennial Quarter
1. 1976 Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67+
- Date of Sale: March 27, 2023
- Price: $1,821
This Bicentennial quarter was minted in 1976 and has the double date 1776 – 1976 on the front. It marks the time when America broke free from British rule and became a democracy. The Founding Fathers led this change. Seven of them are especially well-known.
America’s freedom came through the Revolutionary War, which was a political and military victory. Some Founding Fathers were generals, too. George Washington, one of them, became the first U.S. President. Three more Founding Fathers later became presidents.
2. 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike
- Metal: Type 4 Silver
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 69
- Date of Sale: June 9, 2019
- Price: $19,200
George Washington didn’t want his face on money—he thought it felt too royal, like the British rulers they fought against. He and Benjamin Franklin liked using Lady Liberty instead. Early coins showed Liberty as a goddess inspired by Greek and Roman styles. Later, real women modeled for her, like Elsie Stevens (Mercury Dime) and Ann Willing Bingham (Draped Bust).
3. Double Denomination 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on a Dime
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: Struck on a Dime
- Grade: MS 62
- Date of Sale: December 15, 2020
- Price: $9,200
One rare error coin was struck on a dime instead of a quarter. It’s a cool mistake and very valuable. Anna Willess Williams, the model for the Morgan Dollar, didn’t like being recognized. Early U.S. coins were practical, but in 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt wanted more beauty on coins. That’s when U.S. presidents started appearing on them, starting with Lincoln in 1909, then Washington in 1932 for the quarter.
4. 1976-S Clad Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 3 Clad Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: July 8, 2010
- Price: $920
To celebrate 200 years of U.S. independence, the Mint released special quarters, half dollars, and dollars in both regular and proof versions. Some were for everyday use, others were made in silver for collectors. The proof sets were extra shiny and well-made for coin fans.
The silver coins were 90% silver, 10% copper. The clad coins had a copper core with a copper-nickel layer—still shiny, but cheaper to make.
5. 1976-S Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 3 Clad Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 69
- Date of Sale: November 3, 2010
- Price: $6,038
To understand this coin’s value, we need to look at seignorage. That’s the profit the U.S. Mint makes when a coin’s production cost is lower than its face value. For example, if a $1 coin costs 90¢ to make, the Mint earns 10¢ profit per coin. That’s seignorage.
This system helps fund the Mint, especially when they use cost-saving methods like digital coin production. Proofs and collectible coins, like this one, also bring in extra income.
6. 1976-S Silver Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 4 Silver Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 DCAM
- Date of Sale: November 29, 2007
- Price: $2,760
The materials used in coins have changed over time due to things like the Gold Rush, the 1960s Coin Shortage, and rising silver prices. During wars, even nickel was saved for the military. By the time of the Bicentennial, silver was mostly removed from circulating coins, but collector versions still had some.
In 1965, the silver in quarters dropped to 40%, and by 1971, most were made with copper cores and a copper-nickel layer. Silver coins became rare outside of collector sets.
7. 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 4 Silver Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 25
- Date of Sale: March 26, 2019
- Price: $13,500
After the coin changes in the 1970s, most quarters were made with 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. But some Bicentennial Quarters kept the old metal mix—90% silver—making them more valuable not just for history, but for silver melt value too.
Though all say 1776–1976, they were minted in 1975 and 1976. The front (obverse) still shows Washington, JFK, or Eisenhower—the same images we’re used to.
8. 1976-D Clad DDO Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Error: Doubled Die Obverse
- Grade: MS 66
- Date of Sale: May 7, 2023
- Price: $8,400
This rare Bicentennial quarter from Denver has a cool error called a Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)—the front letters or numbers look doubled. Knowing parts of the coin helps: the words are called legends or mottos, the background is the field, and the thin side is the edge. If it’s ridged, it’s reeded; if smooth, it’s plain.
Some newer coins like the 2016-W Silver Eagle mix have reeded and smooth edges. Back to Bicentennial coins—they came in special Proof and Uncirculated Sets, or as Bicentennial Sets with a quarter, half dollar, and dollar.
9. 1976-S Clad Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 CAM
- Date of Sale: April 29, 2021
- Price: $150
Bicentennial sets were often saved in great condition, especially Proof Sets. Some people kept them in display cases, but others broke the sets up to sell coins separately—especially the clad versions like this one.
This coin is also known as the Drummer Boy Quarter because of the reverse design showing a military drummer. Back in the day, drummers helped keep marching rhythm and boost troop morale.
10. 1976-S Clad Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 69 DCAM
- Date of Sale: July 14, 2021
- Price: $342
One standout feature of the Bicentennial Quarter’s reverse is the victory torch, surrounded by 13 stars for the first 13 states. This design came from a nationwide contest and was created by Jack L. Ahr—you’ll see his initials “JLA” under the drummer’s arm.
The other two contest winners were Seth Huntington (half dollar) and Dennis R. Williams (dollar). Williams was just 21 and submitted his design as a school art project—and won!
11. 1976-S Silver Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 4 Silver Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 66 CAM
- Date of Sale: February 15, 2021
- Price: $128
This quarter was part of a big national design contest. Winners got $5,000, and 12 semi-finalists received $750. The U.S. Mint Director traveled across the country to encourage artists to join. Each entry had to include a 10-inch model of the coin’s reverse (back), with key elements like the two dates (1776–1976), E Pluribus Unum, the denomination, and United States of America.
In total, the Mint got 884 entries and 15,000 inquiries. The winning quarter design by Jack L. Ahr faced plagiarism claims from William A. Smith, who had made a drummer boy stamp, but Ahr denied it.
12. 1976 Clad Bicentennial Quarter Minted in 1975
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: Brilliant Uncirculated
- Date of Sale: August 9, 2022
- Price: $43
This coin has a deeper backstory. President Herbert Hoover once opposed commemorative coins, saying they weren’t worth the cost since many didn’t sell well in the 1930s. He even vetoed the Washington Quarter Bill, so supporters turned it into a circulating coin instead. The Bicentennial coinage had similar challenges.
Mint Director Mary Brooks also didn’t like the idea of redesigning all six coins at first. But things changed when they agreed to only redesign the reverse sides—making it more cost-effective.
13. 1976-S Clad Proof Cameo Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 3 Clad Proof
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: PR 70 CAM
- Date of Sale: May 4, 2004
- Price: $63
Mary Brooks eventually supported the Bicentennial coins because changing just the reverse design saved a lot of money and resources. It avoided having to remake dies, hubs, and blank planchet sheets for the obverse. This also helped the Mint save more seignorage—the profit from coin production.
The Mint made 45 million silver Bicentennial coins—15 million each for the quarter, half dollar, and dollar. A little over half were sold. The rest were melted down. Clad versions are still common in coin rolls and spare change today.
14. 1976-D Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike
- Metal: Type 3 Clad
- Mint Mark: Denver
- Grade: MS 68
- Date of Sale: January 4, 2017
- Price: $6,463
In the past, certain organizations pushed for commemorative coins to raise funds—like the Roosevelt Dime supporting FDR’s March of Dimes. But misuse of the funds created public distrust. Since these coins were made using taxpayer money, it became a big issue.
To avoid waste, Bicentennial coins were made for regular circulation. This way, the money stayed in the economy and could be melted down later for future coinage. That’s how they got approved without much trouble.
15. Double Denomination Bicentennial Dollar Over Bicentennial Quarter
- Metal: Type 4 Silver
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Error: 1976 Eisenhower Dollar struck on a 1976 Quarter
- Grade: MS 64
- Price: $28,000
Some silver Bicentennial coins didn’t sell and were stored for years—on sale until 1986. If they still didn’t sell, prices were lowered. Some were even released into circulation, meaning lucky folks might find them in their change and resell them.
This type of error is extremely rare—and very valuable. Mint Director Mary Brooks originally suggested a gold coin or half cent to avoid redesigning existing coins. But the ARBC eventually convinced her, and now Bicentennial coins are a beloved piece of history still found in circulation.
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Conclusion:
These 15 most valuable Bicentennial Quarter coins show how special and rare some 1776–1976 quarters can be. From silver proofs and deep cameos to mint errors like double denominations and doubled dies, each coin has its own story and value.
Some sold for just a few hundred dollars, while others reached prices over $28,000. Whether you find one in your old change, a collector’s set, or at an auction, these coins are worth checking. Their designs, history, and unique features make them true treasures of American coinage.
If you own a Bicentennial Quarter, check its type, mint mark, grade, and any possible errors—it might just be one of the most valuable ones on this list.
