In 1976, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Mint released special edition quarters featuring a unique dual date “1776–1976” and a distinctive reverse design. These coins have become popular among collectors due to their historical significance and unique design.
🔹 1976 D Clad Quarter
Design & Composition:
- Obverse: Features the standard George Washington portrait.
- Reverse: Displays the colonial drummer boy design by Jack L. Ahr.
- Composition: Similar to the Philadelphia issue, with a copper-nickel clad composition.
- Diameter: 24.3 millimeters.
- Weight: 5.67 grams.
Mintage & Availability:
- Total Mintage: Approximately 860,118,839 coins were minted at the Denver Mint, indicated by the “D” mint mark.
- Circulation: These coins were heavily circulated, making high-grade examples less common.
Value Estimates:
- Circulated Condition: Generally valued between $0.30 and $0.85.
- Uncirculated Condition:
- MS63: Around $4.
- MS65: Approximately $28.
- MS68: Can be valued up to $3,750, though such grades are exceedingly rare.
Notable Varieties:
- Double Die Obverse (DDO) FS-101: This error features noticeable doubling on the obverse inscriptions. High-grade examples of this variety have fetched significant sums at auction.
Notable Sales:
- A 1976-D Clad Bicentennial Quarter in regular strike sold for $6,463 in 2017.
🔹 1976 S Silver Quarter
Design & Composition:
- Obverse: Retains the traditional George Washington portrait.
- Reverse: Features the colonial drummer boy design.
- Composition: Contains 40% silver, distinguishing it from the standard clad versions.
- Diameter: 24.3 millimeters.
- Weight: 5.75 grams.
Mintage & Availability:
- Total Mintage: Approximately 4,000,000 coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint, bearing the “S” mint mark.
- Circulation: These coins were primarily issued in special collector sets and were not intended for general circulation, making them less common in everyday transactions.
Value Estimates:
- Circulated Condition: Typically worth between $2.30 and $3.40.
- Uncirculated Condition:
- MS63: Around $6.
- MS65: Approximately $10.
- MS68: Can be valued up to $65.
- MS69: Exceptional specimens in this grade have been valued significantly higher, with some reaching up to $9,250.
Notable Sales:
- A 1976-S Silver Proof Bicentennial Quarter sold for $13,500 in 2019.
