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People of a certain generation will remember the year-long bicentennial celebrations of 1976, when the United States celebrated its 200th year.th Birthdays and the country were awash in bicentennial trinkets, collectibles, souvenirs and various other things to spend money on. The U.S. Mint also produced a series of bicentennial quarters to commemorate the event — and many of them command big bucks now as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.th birthday.
The Mint produced the Bicentennial coins as a special edition between 1975 and 1976. They were notable for being the first US quarters to feature a special reverse design in over 50 years.
GOBankingRates found out what makes these two-hundred-year-old quarters even more valuable, along with seven other quarters worth thousands of dollars.
Big Bicentennial Bucks
The most valuable of those coins – a 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter that came with a very high grade – sold for $19,200 at auction a few years ago, According to Chronicle Collectables. But it’s not the only bicentenary quarter that fetches a big price. Lots of other people have too.
According to the US Mint, most of these coins were “clad”, meaning they were made of multiple metals such as nickel, copper and zinc layered together like a sandwich. But as Chronicle Collectables noted, some Bicentennial quarters were made of 40% silver – a significant difference because silver coins are rare and therefore much more valuable.
The condition of the coin also plays a role in its value, with those in pristine condition having the highest value.
Bicentennial quarters were minted at different mints in three different locations: Philadelphia (809,784,016 coins), Denver (860,118,839 coins), and San Francisco (11,000,000 uncirculated 40% silver coins, 7,059,099 proof worn coins, and 4 million proof 40% silver coins).
Here’s a look at seven other Bicentennial quarters that sold for more than $1,000, according to According to CoinValueChecker website: :
- 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter: Sold in 2019 for $13,500
- Double denomination 1976 Bicentennial quarter struck at one penny: Sold in 2020 for $9,200
- 1976-D Clad DDO Bicentennial Quarter Business Strike: Sold in 2023 for $8,400
- 1976-D Clad Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike: Sold in 2017 for $6,463
- 1976-S Clad Proof Bicentennial Quarter: Sold in 2010 for $6,038
- 1976-S Silver Proof Deep Cameo Bicentennial Quarter: Sold in 2007 for $2,760
- 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Regular Strike: Sold in 2023 for $1,821