Have you come across a 1976 quarter and want to learn whether it is worth anything? If that is correct, you have landed in the right place! The 1976 quarter is bicentennial, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Therefore, in addition to the monetary value, 1976 has a lot of historical and artistic importance and worth. So, let’s check the 1976 quarter value!
| 1976 Quarter Value Chart | ||||
| Mint Mark | Good | MS 66 | MS 67 | MS 68 |
| 1976 No Mint Clad Quarter | $0.25 | $15-$18 | $50 | / |
| 1976 D Nickel Value | $0.25 | $15-20 | $80-$90 | $,3000-$5,200 |
| 1976 S Silver Quarter Value | / | $20 | $100 or higher | $150 |
1976 Quarter Varieties
History
As mentioned, the 1976 bicentennial quarter was coined (double-pun intended) to honor the 200-year mark after the Founding Fathers signed the most important document in the history of the US, the Declaration of Independence.
As you probably know, the year 1776 is highly important because it marks the turning point (one of many) in US history or the inception of the United States of America.
Formerly called United Colonies, on 9 September 1776 , adopted the name United States, breaking off the ties with the British Crown and absolving the “new states” of any allegiance to the Crown.
When it comes to the history behind the coin’s making and design, given that 1976 represents an important anniversary, there were already some ideas for the bicentennial quarter suggested by The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Coins and Medals Advisory Panel.
However, the designs were quickly rejected by the Treasury Department because the members believed that commemorative coins lacked purpose; they were mainly kept to generate profit and as keepsakes rather than a medium of monetary exchange.
As such, they were not accessible to the public, which is the main point of having coins and the coinage system.
However, given that coin collectors were relentless and a huge public interest in the 1976 commemorative coins, the Treasury Department eventually agreed, and the production of the new bicentennial quarter could commence. Still, there were some opposing ideas regarding the design.
Ultimately, the Treasury only accepted to include “1776-1976” dates on the new quarter’s reverse, while the design on the obverse would stay the same. The modified bill passed both houses of Congress in 1973 and was later signed by President Richard Nixon.
As usual, there was a competition for the new quarter’s design, and the judges chose Jack L. Ahr’s design, which featured a drummer.
Before the coin went into production, Frank Gasparro, the Mint Chief Engraver, changed Ahr’s design, namely the lettering, the appearance of the drum, and the drummer’s face.
The first bicentennial coins, intended for commercial use, were produced in February 1975, and production continued during 1976. However, you will not find a coin with the 1975 date on the coin.
Although many coin collectors were excited about the new bicentennial coin and thought it would be worth a fortune in the future, the mintage was so high that you can find these coins in circulation today.
Obverse
As mentioned, the obverse design remained intact and was designed by John Flanagan, the coin designer, and engraver best known for the Washington Quarter design. It is believed that Washington’s portrait was based on one made by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine.
The coin’s obverse design is very simple; it features Washington’s bust, facing left, with the capitalized inscription “LIBERTY” on the upper rim. Underneath Washington’s chin, we can see the American motto “IN GOD, WE TRUST.” The date is placed in the center of the lower rim, “1776-1976”.
Reverse
As mentioned, the reverse design was done by Jack L. Ahr, and it is pretty packed compared to the obverse. The center of the coin features an image of the drum boy, while, for years, the image of the American Bold eagle occupied the reverse.
The drummer is holding a drum and two sticks in his hands. Next to him, on his left side, we can see a torch surrounded by 13 states, representing the original American colonies. The second American motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” translates to “Out of one, many,” and is placed underneath the torch.
The capitalized “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is struck alongside the upper rim, while in the center of the lower rim, we can see the denomination “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
Other Details
There are two types of 1976 bicentennial quarters, which are distinguishable by their metal composition: the 1976 clad Washington quarter and the 1976 silver Washington quarter.
The 1976 clad Washington quarter is made of 91.67% copper with a pure copper core and the outer layer consisting of 75% copper and nickel. The coin’s diameter is 0.95512 inches or (24.26mm), and its thickness is 0.6890 inches (1.75mm) with reeded edges.
On the other hand, the 1976 silver Washington quarter contains silver (40%) and copper (60%). Contrary to the clad variety, this coin’s core contains 20.9% silver, while the outer layer contains around 80% silver.
The 1976 clad quarter weighs around 0.2 ounces (5.67 g), while the silver one weighs slightly more, around 0.2 ounces (5.76). The silver weight in the 1976 silver quarter is around 0.7390 troy ounces (2.3g).
Other dimensions, such as diameter and thickness, are the same. The face value is 25 cents or 0.25$, and the shape is round. The total mintage of the 1976 Washington quarter is around 1,691,961,954. The bicentennial quarters were produced at three mints: San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia.
1976 No Mint Mark Clad Washington Quarter
The Philadelphia Mint has the lowest mintage number in the series: 809 million of bicentennial Washington. As usual, the quarters produced in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark, so if you do not find one, now you know why!
Many of these coins were pulled from circulation while they were new or in excellent condition, meaning that finding them in higher mint states such as MS 66 or MS 67 is very easy.
The 1976 No Mint Mark Clad quarter in good state and even in extra fine or about-circulated is not worth much- only its face value. The price range is relatively the same for most grades except for MS 66 and higher mint states.
In MS 66, 1976 No Mint Mark Clad quarter is worth around $15 to $20; in MS 67, the price can reach $50. Considering that the Philadelphia mint struck these coins in very poor condition, today, you cannot find the 1975 bicentennial quarter in MS 68 or MS 69.
The highest grade for this coin is MS 67, and considering that PCGS never sold that specimen, the value is estimated at around $2 750. For additional information about the value of the 1976 quarter, click here Coin Value Checker!
1976 D Clad Washington Quarter
The Denver Mint had the second-highest mintage in the series- 860 million of 1976 bicentennial quarters. These coins produced in Denver bear a “D” mark which you can find on the obverse, on the right side of the coin, next to Washington’s tails.
Similar to the no-mint mark variety, the 1975 D Clad quarter in lower states, such as good, fine, and even about-circulated, is worth its face value.
These coins have the highest value in high mint states, starting with MS 65. The 1976 D Clad quarter in MS 65 is worth around $15 to $20
These coins were struck in better condition so that you can find the 1976 D Clad quarter in high-mint states such as MS 68. The 1976 D Clad quarter in MS 67 is worth between $80 and $90. The same specimen in the highest grade for this coin, MS 68, is worth between $3,000 and $5,200.
The highest amount paid for the 1976 D Clad quarter in MS 68 was at the Rare Auction, where it reeled the astonishing $5,170.
1976 S Proof Washington Quarter
The San Francisco had the highest mintage in the series-11 million and produced both proof bicentennial quarters in clad and the proof silver bicentennial Washington quarters. These are easily distinguishable by the “S” mint mark on the obverse, next to the Washington’s tail.
The silver bicentennial coins have a shiny finish, were not intended for circulation, and sold only in special sets for collectors. So, the San Francisco Mint produced 7 million proof quarters in clad.
Although designated as proof coins, the 1976 S proof Washington quarter is not very valuable, and the price range is between $0.25 and $6. However, they usually fetch more in auctions, such as one specimen sold for $104.
1976 S Silver Washington Quarter
The San Francisco Mint also produced the silver variety -4 million of silver Washington quarters with an “S” mint mark. The 1976 S Silver Washington quarter is worth between $8 and $20, although it can reach even higher prices in auctions up to $150.
One silver-proof specimen in PR 70 DCAM with an S mint mark was sold for $144 at Heritage Auctions.
Grading 1976 Washington Quarter
When it comes to grading coins, they are usually graded on the Sheldon scale, which assigns grades from 1 through 70. Various factors affect the coins’ value and grades, such as their condition, mintage year, mintage number, mint mark, and presence of errors.
1976 Washington Quarter Errors
Considering the extensive production of the bicentennial quarters, mistakes were bound to happen, and there are several. The errors are as follows:
- Double Die
- Overstruck Quarters
- Struck Through the Quarter
- Colonial Drummer
- Off-center on the Obverse Side
Comparing the error found on the 1976 Washington quarters, the most valuable are the double die obverse error and overstruck quarters. The coins with the overstruck quarter error can fetch the price of 10,000, while the ones with the double die error can reel around $3,000.
Remember that the coin’s condition is one of the most important factors, whether it has or does not have an error. You can find some rare coins with valuable errors, but because of their poor condition, the error is barely visible, rendering that coin, in most cases, worthless.
