This Bicentennial Quarter Could Be Worth $50 Million – Is It in Your Pocket?

In 1976, a special coin was issued to commemorate America’s 200th anniversary of independence – the Bicentennial Quarter. This coin is commonly seen in circulation, but recently there have been reports of a special Bicentennial Quarter selling for up to $50 million.

Is the above claim accurate? In this article, we will explore the truth behind such claims, see what makes the value of a coin go up, and also discover whether you possess a valuable and rare coin!

Learning about the Bicentennial Quarter

The most distinctive aspect of this coin is its special design:

• Obverse: It has the classic portrait of George Washington.
• Reverse: Depicts a soldier in the colonial period holding a drum with 13 stars around him, which represent America’s original 13 colonies.
• Dual Date: The coin has “1776-1976” engraved upon it, marking America’s Bicentennial.

These coins were minted at three large mints:

• Philadelphia Mint – Without any mint mark.
• Denver Mint – With a ‘D’ mark.
• San Francisco Mint – With an ‘S’ mark, some of them being composed of 40% silver.

Is a Bicentennial Quarter Actually Worth $50 Million?

It was recently rumored that a specific 1976 Bicentennial Quarter would be worth $50 million. Is this true?

Answer: No! This is not supported by any reliable source

Established auction and coin collecting houses, like GreatCollections, have discredited such statements. The most valuable Bicentennial Quarter ever auctioned was sold for $19,200, which is far from the $50 million statement.

Determinants of the Price of a Bicentennial Quarter

Even if the $50 million is false, a Bicentennial Quarter can cost a lot of money because of some features:

1. Mint Errors:

• If the coin is struck twice by mistake (Double Strike).
• If the design is somewhat off-center.
• If it is struck in the wrong metal (Planchet).
• These coins are bought by collectors at a very high price.

1. High-Grade Condition:

• The value of the coin rises if the coin quality is graded MS67 or higher.
• Professional grading service certified coins (PCGS or NGC) are more desirable to collectors.

1. Silver Composition:

• Coins produced at the San Francisco Mint, which contain 40% silver, are more valuable than ordinary quarters.

The most expensive Bicentennial quarters ever sold

To date, some of the rare Bicentennial quarters have brought thousands, if not millions, of dollars at auction:

Coin Description	Grade	Auction Price	Year of Sale
1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter (Business Strike)	MS69	$19,200	2019
1976 Bicentennial Quarter (incorrectly printed at dime size)	MS62	$9,200	2020
1976-D Bicentennial Quarter (Doubled Die)	MS66	$8,400	2023

How ​​to Determine if Your Bicentennial Quarter is Worth Something

If you possess this coin, follow these steps to determine its actual value:

✔ Inspect for Minting Errors – Does your coin feature any double printing, miscutting, or off-center designs?

✔ Inspect for Mint Mark Identification – Coins with the ‘S’ mark, particularly silver ones, are more valuable.

✔ Check Condition – If the coin is shiny and not worn, it could be worth more.

✔ Get a Professional Opinion – Have the coin graded by a professional coin expert or grading service to determine its true value.

Conclusion

The $50 million value rumor is just that, a rumor, and there is no indication that any Bicentennial Quarter has ever sold for this amount.

But if you possess a coin with a mint error, high grade, or 40% silver, it could be worth a pretty penny. These coins can be sold for thousands of dollars, depending on the demand and interest from coin collectors.

Next time you sort through your old coins, take a closer look – you too could have a rare and invaluable Bicentennial Quarter!

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