1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
The 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar is a rare and valuable coin that was issued by the United States Mint in 1976. It commemorates the 200th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, and its obverse features an image of President George Washington. While most versions are worth only face value, some 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar value amounts are a lot more, depending on their varieties and errors.
In this article, we’ll discuss what makes these quarters so special, their history and design features, as well as how to identify different varieties and errors that could make your quarter worth more than just 25 cents! So if you have one of these quarters from 1976, read on to find out exactly how much it might be worth!
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Value |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1776 to 1976 No Mint Mark Quarter Dollar Value | / | / | / | $6.81 | / |
| 1776 to 1976 D Quarter Dollar Value | / | / | / | $9.36 | / |
| 1776 to 1976 S Quarter Dollar Value – Proof | / | / | / | / | $5.84 |
| 1776 to 1976 S Silver Quarter Dollar Value | / | / | / | $8.74 | $10.03 |
Value by Mint Mark
As we mentioned, on the obverse of the quarter you’ll find an image of President George Washington, designed by John Flanagan in the 1930s. You will also find two dates on the front representing America’s birthdate: 1776 and 1976. This is unique from most other American coins, which only feature one date.
The reverse of the quarter features a picture of a soldier from the Revolutionary War playing a drum beside a torch that is encircled by thirteen stars, designed by Jack L. Ahr, who won $5,000 for his design. These stars represent the original 13 colonies and celebrate America’s freedom from British rule.
The entire coin is meant to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States of America, making it a significant coin with lots of history behind it.
The value of the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar depends on its mint mark
The 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar was minted with either no mint mark for Philadelphia, an S for San Francisco, or a D for Denver. It is important to know where your coin was minted in order to accurately determine its value.
1776 to 1976 No Mint Mark Quarter Dollar Value
With the two dates on the front (1776 to 1976) and the colonial drummer on the back to celebrate the 200th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar looks different from most other coins.
The 1776 to 1976 No Mint Mark quarter dollar was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, where they did not put any mint mark letters on their coins, most of the time. There were 809,784,016 of these coins produced that year. You will find that they have a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and a weight of 5.67 grams, and they are composed of 91.67% of copper and 8.33% nickel.
Due to the large amount of these coins that were produced, they are not considered rare or extremely valuable in most conditions. It is worth its face value in “Good” condition, “Fine” condition, and “Extremely Fine” condition.
However, when this no mint mark quarter dollar coin is in “Uncirculated” condition, then it can be worth $6.81. So, while this quarter costs twenty five cents just like any other quarter, it can be worth more if you know what to look for.
1776 to 1976 D Quarter Dollar Value
The 1776 to 1976 D quarter dollar was produced at the Denver Mint and is distinguished by a large “D” mint mark on the reverse side of the coin. There were 860,118,839 of these coins produced in 1976 at this location, which is more than those at the Philadelphia Mint.
This quarter has a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and a weight of 5.67 grams with 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel composition just like its no mint mark counterpart from Philadelphia.
Similar to the Philadelphia version, they are not as valuable in “Good”, “Fine”, or “Extremely Fine” condition – only worth about face value, which is twenty five cents. But they can still be worth more than face value when they are in “Uncirculated” condition – up to $9.36 for these.
1776 to 1976 S Quarter Dollar Value (Proof Coin)
The 1776 to 1976 S quarter dollar is the rarest of all three versions. This is because it is the Proof coin variety and was only produced at San Francisco Mint. A Proof coin is made when specially prepared dies and high-quality blanks are used to create coins with unique, shiny finishes, meant specifically for collectors and not for business circulation.
This quarter has a “S” mint mark on the reverse side of the coin, which is used to distinguish it from the other coins. The S quarter dollar has the same size as all other quarters – a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and a weight of 5.67 grams with 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel composition like its “No Mint Mark” and “D” counterparts from Philadelphia and Denver, respectively.
With only 7,059,099 of these coins produced in 1976, they are much more difficult to find than their no mint mark or D counterparts from other locations that year. This makes them much more desirable to collectors, as they are considered rare.
The 1776 to 1976 S quarter dollar can be worth up to $5.84 in “Uncirculated” condition, but one in absolutely perfect condition recently sold at an auction for $690!
1776 to 1976 S Quarter Dollar Value – 40% Silver Variety
The 1776 to 1976 S quarter dollar can also come in a 40% silver variety. These coins were made from a special metal blend of copper and silver alloys that the Mint used for business strikes and Proofs, so you will find both versions available in this type of metal blend.
There were 11,000,000 of these quarters made, and they have a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and a weight of 5.75 grams, with a 60% copper and 40% silver composition – different from the standard copper-nickel composition of the previous three varieties from 1976.
This rare 40% silver variety is more valuable than its regular counterparts due to the unique metal blend used in production – it can be worth up to $8.74 when they are in “Uncirculated” condition.
It also comes in a Proof coin variety, which can be worth up to $10.03 when in pristine condition. This makes it the most valuable of all three versions mentioned above.
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Grading
Grading a quarter is an important part of determining its value. Coins are graded on a scale of 1 to 70, with 70 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest. The scale can be broken up into a few main conditions, including “Good” condition, “Fine” condition, “Extremely Fine” condition, and “Uncirculated” condition.
For collectors interested in these coins, they should look for coins with no signs of wear or damage that have as much detail still visible as possible. The eye appeal should be at its highest level with only minor abrasion marks that do not detract from overall beauty of the coin. These are considered more valuable than those with scratches or marks on them due to their age and rarity.
Additionally, any coins that have errors or varieties should also be considered more valuable than their regular counterparts. Also, the Proof version can be considered more collectable, but it must have deeply mirrored fields and highly detailed frosted designs with no evidence of contact with other coins during striking or handling before packaging.
To accurately grade your quarter, you will need an expert opinion, such as a reputable third party grading service like PCGS or NGC. These services offer knowledgeable numismatists who can more accurately determine your coin’s condition by examining it through various tools such as magnifying glasses and microscopes in order to understand its true grade.
Rare 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Error Coins
Finally, there are rare error coins of the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar that can be worth much more than the standard versions. These errors could include a number of things, including but not limited to doubled die, rotated die, off-center strikes, and more.
Let’s look at a few 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar error coins that have surfaced on the market in the last several years.
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar – Double Denomination Error
The double denomination error coin was one of the most popular errors from this series. This coin features a Washington quarter that was stamped over by an Eisenhower dollar design! If you look closely, you can see both designs interwoven on both sides.
This coin error is created when dies for both denominations got stuck in the same press at the same time and resulted in a striking of two different coins with two different images onto one planchet (the metal piece that is formed into the shape of a coin). A coin with this error is extremely rare – it sold for a whopping $28,000 at auction!
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar – Obverse Struck Through Error
The strike through error is another rare 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar coin error found in circulation. This coin features a design that appears to have been stamped with something else. The obverse image of this particular coin is incomplete and looks like it has been struck through with cloth.
This coin sold for $220 at auction, making it a valuable coin within this series indeed.
1776 to 1976 S Quarter Dollar – Die Clash Error
Another interesting and rare quarter found from this series has a die clash on the obverse side. What that means is that the die clashed with another die in the press, resulting in a faint partial image of the drummer’s image visible underneath Washington’s portrait on the coin.
A die clash error is also highly sought after by collectors, as it can be extremely beautiful and unique depending on the condition of the coin. This particular coin sold at auction for $440.
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar – Broadstruck Error
Finally, the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar also has a rare broadstruck error coin. This error happens when a planchet is not properly centered in the coin chamber, resulting in a coin that is not fully struck with its design, often showcasing a smeared look after production.
This particular coin was sold for $110 at auction due to its rarity and uniqueness.
1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve covered a few of the errors and varieties found in 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar coins, let’s answer some of the other frequently asked questions about this series.
How Much is a 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar Worth Today?
The value of your coin will depend on its grade and any errors or varieties it might have. Generally, coins in “Good” condition are worth around face value, while coins in “Uncirculated” condition can be worth up to $10 or so. Rare error coins can be worth significantly more depending on the specific type and its rarity.
What Makes the 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar so Valuable?
The 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar is valuable for a few reasons. First, it is a collectible coin issued by the United States Mint to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the American Revolution.
Second, it is a historical coin that has been around for many years, making it an attractive numismatic piece. Third, there are a few rare error coins from this series that have sold for thousands of dollars at auction.
How Do I Know if my 1776 to 1976 Quarter Dollar is Silver?
Most of the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollars were only issued in copper-nickel clad composition and do not contain any silver. However, there were a few special S mint mark coins that were issued in 40% silver. You can tell if this is yours by the mint mark and the weight, as 40% silver coins are slightly heavier than the copper-nickel clad ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar has a rich history and is an interesting and popular coin for both collectors and those looking to invest in coins. From the standard circulated versions to rare error coins, there is a wide variety of these quarters that can be collected. They can be worth more than face value when one knows what to look for, so it’s important to research and understand the value of your coin before investing in them.
And if you’re just getting started with coin collecting, the 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar is a great place to begin!
Do you have any questions about these coins? Let us know in the comments below.
