Imagine discovering that a quarter youâve had sitting in your pocket is worth $100,000! This is the reality for a few lucky individuals who have stumbled upon rare Bicentennial Quarters. Minted in 1976 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States, these special quarters feature a unique design and were produced in large quantities. However, a few rare variations have become incredibly valuable due to minting errors or their composition. In this article, weâll explore two specific types of Bicentennial Quarters that have the potential to fetch six figures at auction.
1976-D Bicentennial Quarter
The 1976-D Bicentennial Quarter, minted in Denver, is a common coin that many people still come across in their everyday change. However, what makes some of these coins special are the errors that occurred during the minting process. Coins with mistakes like doubled dies (where part of the design appears twice) or off-center strikes (where the design is not aligned properly) are considered highly collectible and can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. In exceptional cases, a 1976-D error coin in mint condition could be valued at $100,000 or more, making it a true treasure hiding in plain sight.
1976-S Silver Proof Quarter
The 1976-S silver proof quarter is another highly sought-after version of the Bicentennial Quarter. Unlike the copper-nickel quarters made for circulation, the silver proof version contains 40% silver and was only available in special collector sets from the San Francisco Mint. The silver content alone increases its value, but if the coin is in pristine, uncirculated condition, or if it has rare minting errors, it could be worth a small fortune. Some of these coins, especially in flawless condition, have sold for close to $100,000 at auctions.