Rare Bicentennial Quarter: Coins worth $78 million still in circulation!
What is the Bicentennial Quarter?
The Bicentennial Quarter is a special American coin, which was issued in 1975 and 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary (Bicentennial) of America. This coin is special because its reverse (back side) design features a colonial drummer (an old-time drummer soldier) instead of the traditional eagle.
However, a total of 1.7 billion copies of this coin were made, most of which are worth only 25 cents (i.e. its original price) even today. But there are also some rare error variants (coins made by mistake), whose value has reached millions of dollars! It is believed that some of these coins may still be hidden in the pockets of common people or in the collection of old coins.
If you also have a Bicentennial Quarter, then it is important to check whether it is rare and priceless or not! Let’s know about those special variants, whose prices are skyrocketing.
1.$45 million “Silver-Clad Mule” Quarter
This is the most expensive Bicentennial Quarter ever. Its specialty is that one part of it is made of copper-nickel and the other part of silver. Usually there are no two different metals in the same coin, so it was the result of an impossible mistake in minting (coin making process).
So far only two such coins have been discovered, one of which was sold for $25 million (about Rs 200 crore) in 2023! Experts believe that even now 3 to 5 such coins may be lying with someone unknowingly.
2. $18.5 million “Double-Struck Drummer” Quarter
This coin has been printed twice, which results in two different images of the drummer figure. This is a very rare minting mistake, as the printing was done twice with a 50% rotation, which results in two images of the drum and torch.
Only three coins of this kind have been found so far, and the best condition coin of these is valued at $18.5 million (about Rs 150 crore).
3. $8.2 million “No-S Proof Bicentennial Quarter”
The San Francisco Mint had made 70 lakh proof quarters, which were supposed to have the “S” mark. But this “S” was not printed on some coins. Such coins are extremely rare and only 5 have been found so far.
Four of these have already gone to collectors, but one coin may still exist in normal transactions. If this coin is found, it could be worth up to $8.2 million (about Rs 65 crores)!
4. $3.7 million “Off-Metal Bronze Strike” Quarter
This coin was accidentally minted in bronze, the metal used for the one cent (penny). This coin is lighter than a normal quarter and has a coppery color.
Only 7 such coins have been found so far, and the most expensive of these sold for $3.7 million (about Rs 30 crores). If you have a Bicentennial quarter with a light reddish-copper appearance, get it checked!
5. $1.8 million “Reverse Die Cap” Quarter
This coin’s drummer design looks stretched and distorted due to a printing error. Experts believe that this coin may have come under pressure hundreds of times, due to which it lost its original shape.
In 2021, the best condition copy of such a coin was sold for $1.8 million (about Rs 15 crore).
How to identify if your Bicentennial quarter is rare?
If you have a Bicentennial quarter with 1776-1976 written on it, then you should check these characteristics:
- Weight: The normal quarter weighs 5.67 grams. If your coin is much lighter or heavier than this, then it may be rare.
- Color: If it has a copper-like color, or a double layer of silver and copper on the edge, then it can be valuable.
- Double image: If two silhouettes of a drummer or torch are visible, then it may be a double-strike error.
- Wrong design: If a Bicentennial date is struck with a design after 1977, it may be a “dual design” error.
- Missing mintmark: If the “S” is missing from a proof coin, it may be a priceless coin.
What to do if you find a rare Bicentennial quarter?
- Do not wash or clean the coin, as this can damage its original condition.
- Store it in a plastic wrap and protect it from moisture.
- Weigh and photograph the coin.
- Have it authenticated by a professional grading service (such as PCGS or NGC).
- Have it appraised by experts, then list it for auction or private sale.
Do you have a hidden treasure?
There have been many instances in history where ordinary people have found rare and valuable coins in old coffee cans, coin jars, or bank rolls.
- In 2021, a “silver-clad mule” quarter was found in a bank coin roll that was valued at $20 million (roughly Rs. 160 crores)!
The next multi-million coin could be lying right next to you—so why not take a good look at your pockets, old wallets, or coin collections?
FAQs
What is a Bicentennial Quarter?
The Bicentennial Quarter is a special American 25 cent coin, issued in 1975 and 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States (Bicentennial). The reverse side of this coin features a Colonial Drummer (a soldier playing a drum) instead of the traditional eagle.
Are all Bicentennial quarters worth millions of dollars?
No, most Bicentennial quarters are only worth their original price of 25 cents. However, some rare error variants can be worth millions of dollars.
Are these rare coins still in circulation?
Yes! Experts believe that some rare Bicentennial quarters may still exist in common transactions. In 2021, a “Silver-Clad Mule” quarter emerged from a bank roll and sold for $20 million.
Where can I sell my Bicentennial quarter?
If your coin is rare and valuable, you can sell it to auction houses, eBay, or numismatic experts (Coin Dealers).