Rare Bicentennial Quarter: featuring the unique colonial drummer reverse and the dual date (1776-1976) holds a special place as one of America’s most recognized commemorative coins.
Though the vast majority of the 1.7 billion struck are valued at nothing more than face value, a few remarkable varieties have risen as bona fide numismatic treasures porting hefty premiums.
These six elusive Bicentennial Quarter errors are the stuff of collector’s dreams, the absolute best of the best in what can be found within this widely collected series – the best exact value is thousands and possibly tens of thousands of dollars!
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Rare Bicentennial Quarter: 1976 No Mintmark (Philadelphia) MS-68+ Full Steps
Philadelphia minted more than 800 million of these with no mintmark, so are generally believed to be a common Bicentennial coin.
The mint’s quality control on these wasn’t so great, though, with many coins being weakly struck coins, having inferior luster, and countless bag marks.
Examples graded MS-68+ (almost flawless) with Full Steps designation (all of the steps of Monticello are well-detailed and without distraction) are virtually impossible to acquire.
PCGS & NGC together have graded less than 20 in this elite MS grade range. These condition rarities can sell for $15,000-$25,000 at auction—mind-boggling for a coin struck in so many pieces.
The clean fields, bold devices, and unbroken frostiness of the surfaces combine to put these pieces the status of legitimate condition rarities despite their regular date and mint.
The 40% “No S” Proof Silver Error
The San Francisco Mint struck an estimated 4 million 40% silver Bicentennial Quarters for inclusion in collector sets. Beating that number a very limited group of no more than several proof examples are missing the all-important “S” mintmark found on all San Francisco coins.
This super rare mint error was created when a die was made and the mintmark was forgotten. With less than 25 confirmed specimens known, these error coins consistently sell for $7,500-$20,000 depending on grade and the strength of proof strike.
Authentication is still of paramount importance, as advanced counterfeiters have tampered with mintmarks on business strikes. In fact valid specimens reveal no trace of adulteration upon microscopic observation.
Double Die Obverse (DDO) FS-101 Variety
The Doubled Die Obverse FS-101 (as listed in the Cherrypickers’ Guide) is one of the most collectible Bicentennial Quarter varieties. This variety exhibits clear doubling on Washington’s portrait, most evident in the eyelid, lip, and hair.
The duplication was a result of die amnufacturing where two of the hubs were slightly off center resulting in double images we see on the coin. Unlike post-strike machine doubling, doubled dies have doubling on the devices—a significant diagnostic.
In circulated condition, these coins are worth $75-$150, however uncirculated in MS-65 or better condition the value can range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the degree of doubling along with eye appeal.
The “Drum With Extra Drumstick” Die Break Error
A generic die break is several die cracks clustered about anything on the coin. One of the interesting ones was a combination die break crack on the drummer boy’s hands on the reverse of the Bicentennial Quarter.
As the die broke down, this crack made the image of what looks like an additional drumstick — the drummer has three hands on its more deteriorated phases of the die.
This progressive die mistake is so attractive because it produces a visually interesting variety to the main design element.
In early stage images there is a faint line, while in late stage it shows a prominent extra drumstick one can even point out to the layman.
Late-stage and uncirculated examples have brought $500-2,500 this die break and overall coin quality considered.
Off-Center Strikes
Rare Bicentennial Quarter- Some of the most spectacular Bicentennial Quarter errors in the off-center class are the 1976 pieces struck considerably off-center.
With such few contact marks on this, most all planchet flaws were still visible or even enhanced in due to it. I used to think it was fascinating that when a planchet is misaligned in the two halves of a die, only one half of the design is struck into the coin, the couterdye forming flat surfaces for the blank areas where the half design never came into contact.
The off-center Value of Bicentennial Quarters The value of off-center Bicentennial Quarters is directly related to how far off-center the strike is, however the key is whether the date is fully visible or not.
The most valuable are examples struck 40-60% off center but still showing the full date (both 1776 and 1976).
Uncirculated pieces with 50 percent or more off-center strikes that still display the full dual dates have traded hands for $2,000 to $7,500, with a few outstanding examples reaching a few four figures.
The Patterns of the Silver-Clad Prototype
The rarest and most precious Bicentennial Quarters are pattern pieces that weren’t intended for production at all! Augustus Saint-Gaudens before it was decided on the colonial drummer motif; the Mint struck a number of pattern pieces for the double eagle to test designs and composition.
These silver-clad composition pattern quarters exhibit slight design variations from the adopted design. No such coins were ever issued for circulation or available to the public, as the vast majority were kept in institutional holdings.
When such patterns of exceptionally rare type appear at auction, they can bring in prices topping $100,000 depending on quality and origin.
It is estimated that less than 10 specimens are in existence in all combined pattern types and they are numismatic gems.
Authentication Considerations
Rare Bicentennial Quarter- Due to the enormous value of rare Bicentennial Quarter errors, it is vital to authenticate your coins with a reputable third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, before purchasing them. There are a number of particular issues that merit careful consideration:
Doubled die errors are often mistaken for mechanical or strike doubling
Undated mintmarkless coins may have been altered and are not true mint errors
Some cleaning or damage may be obscured by artificial toning or surface enhancements
Fake silver quarters can be found, especially the 40% silver ones.
Third party grading provides a degree of protection for a collector that a coins is the ‘real article’ and not a common quarter that’s undergone post-mint damage or alteration.
Rare Bicentennial Quarter
The Bicentennial Quarter series serves as a great example of how there can be remarkable coinage in common looking circulating coins.
These six coins are typical of the millions or billions created and worth no more than their face value — until they reveal themselves to be one of the rare varieties that allow collectors to unearth a numismatic treasure hidden away in pocket change, inheritance or just general circulation.
For collectors, these differences are an exciting possibility — an opportunity to have careful examination and numismatic information turn an everyday quarter into a four or five-figure rarity.
It is this democratized version of coin collecting, where value can be found rather than bought, that continues to draw collectors to this approachable, but potentially rewarding, modern commemorative series.
