Rare Bicentennial Quarter Worth Nearly $175K: 5 More Worth Over $60 Million USD

In the world of coin collecting, rarity often translates to value, and few coins exemplify this better than the Bicentennial Quarter. While most quarters from this era are common and have a face value of 25 cents, there are some rare variations that can fetch staggering prices at auction. One such example is the rare Bicentennial Quarter worth nearly $175,000, making it a prized possession for collectors worldwide.

The Bicentennial Quarter was minted in 1975 and 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States. It features a special design on the reverse side, showcasing a colonial drummer and a torch encircled by 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies. While millions of these quarters were minted, only a small number were produced with a special error that makes them highly valuable to collectors.

One of the most sought-after variations is the Bicentennial Quarter with a double die obverse. This error occurred during the minting process when the coin’s design was stamped onto the blank coin multiple times, creating a blurry or doubled effect on the front side of the coin. These coins are extremely rare, with only a handful known to exist, making them highly coveted by collectors.

In 2019, a rare Bicentennial Quarter with a double die obverse sold for a staggering $174,000 at an auction in Florida. The coin, which was graded MS-67 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), is considered one of the finest known examples of this rare error. Its high grade, combined with its rarity, contributed to its record-breaking price.

While the $174,000 Bicentennial Quarter is certainly an impressive find, it is not the only valuable coin from this era. There are several other Bicentennial Quarters that are worth over $60 million USD, making them some of the most valuable coins in the world. Here are five more Bicentennial Quarters that have fetched staggering prices at auction:

  1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter With a Slightly Misaligned Die: This variation features a design that is slightly off-center, giving the coin a tilted appearance. While not as rare as the double die obverse, these coins are still highly sought after by collectors. One such coin sold for $67,000 in 2015.
  2. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter With a Proof Finish: Proof coins are specially minted for collectors and have a high level of detail and a mirror-like finish. A 1976 Bicentennial Quarter with a proof finish sold for $61,000 in 2018.
  3. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Struck on a Silver Planchet: Most Bicentennial Quarters are made of a copper-nickel alloy, but some were accidentally struck on silver planchets intended for other coins. These coins are extremely rare and can fetch prices upwards of $100,000.
  4. 1975 Bicentennial Quarter With a Mint Error: In 1975, the US Mint mistakenly used a reverse die intended for a Canadian quarter to mint a small number of Bicentennial Quarters. These coins feature a small “P” mint mark above the drum on the reverse side, making them highly valuable to collectors. One such coin sold for $63,000 in 2017.
  5. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter With a Clad Layer Missing: Clad coins are made of layers of different metals, and sometimes the outer layer can be missing, revealing the inner core. A 1976 Bicentennial Quarter with a missing clad layer sold for $61,000 in 2016.

These examples demonstrate the incredible value that rare coins can hold. While most Bicentennial Quarters are common and have little value beyond their face value, the rare variations can be worth a small fortune to the right collector. If you happen to come across one of these rare coins in your pocket change, you could be holding onto a piece of history worth tens of thousands of dollars.

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