1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter: This coin is One of America’s most well-known commemorative coins, the 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter was created to honor the country’s 200th birthday.
Particularly their designs in 25-cent pieces, finished them that special quarter, with its distinctive reverse design and composition, representative of the numismatic history of America at the intersection, patriotic commemoration.
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1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter: Historical Context
When the United States neared its bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Treasury Department looked for ways to include everyday Americans in honoring the milestone.
The choice to change the design of the nation’s circulating coinage — quarters, half dollars and dollar coins — provided an ideal moment to deliver history straight to citizens’ fingertips.
A new two-part series begins with the Bicentennial coinage program, which was authorized by Congress in 1973, and which had created a unique situation in the history of American numismatics.
The reverse designs of several denominations would change temporarily for the first time since 1930 for the celebration of a commemorative event and also have a dated period covering two years (from 1776 to 1976) instead of just one.
Design Elements
The reverse of the Bicentennial Quarter, designed by Jack L. Ahr, features a Revolutionary War drummer with a victory torch surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies.
At its founding, this colonial drummer boy who is facing left represents the nation’s martial spirit and youthful vigor.
The ring of stars surrounding them form a balanced visual composition that reflects the traditional portrait of Washington on the obverse.
Like the standard circulating quarters, they were struck in copper-nickel clad composition, but the San Francisco Mint (denoted by the “S” mintmark) produced special silver versions for collectors.
These 1976-S quarters were issued in 40% silver, an alloy with outer layers of silver bonded to an inner core of copper, the same alloy used for half dollars from 1965 to 1970.
Production Specifications
The 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter is 24.3mm in diameter, has a weight of 5.75 grams, and consists of roughly 0.0739 ounces of pure silver.
These special quarters were struck in San Francisco and were made exclusively for collectors, not for circulation.
It was produced in two formats:
Uncirculated versions contained within the 1976 Uncirculated Mint Sets
Feature mirror like fields and frosted devices contained in Silver Proof Sets
The San Francisco Mint struck some 4 million uncirculated silver quarters and 4 million proof examples, so although they were special issues, they remain relatively accessible to collectors.
Collecting Significance
The 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarter is one of the most popular off metals error coins among numismatists. Not exactly rare — they were minted in the millions — these coins also encapsulate several collecting interests at once:
Commemoration value: Issued as part of America’s bicentennial celebration, these quarters encapsulate a pinnacle in a historic era.
Silver content: While circulating coinage had no precious metals, these special issues offered collectors government issued silver pieces.
Design deviation: The colonial drummer reverse provides a visually distinctive departure from the standard eagle reverse established since 1932.
High-quality production: Particularly in proof format, these coins captured the technical capabilities of the San Francisco Mint in the 1970s.
Current Market Values
Modest but stable value exists for 1976-S Silver Bicentennial Quarters nearly 50 years after their issue. Typical examples go for $5-$10 and proof specimens $8-$15.
Outstanding specimens graded MS-69 or PR-69 by a professional grading services may sell for between $25-$50 each.
The more affordable quality of these coins has made them popular access points for many collectors, and exceptionally so as a way to introduce young numismatists to the hobby.
Unlike many modern celebratory coins that retail for high prices when issued, these quarters are available to collectors of every financial means.
Legacy and Impact
The 1976-S Silver Quarter is a part of the Bicentennial coinage program, one of the most successful commemorative efforts by the U.S. Mint. The program met multiple goals:
Generated mass public awareness of the nation’s bicentennial
Introduced millions of Americans to the hobby of coin collecting
Set a precedent for design changes on circulating coinage that are temporary
Saved a cost-effective, physical memento of the bicentennial celebration
The design was so popular that it served as a model for later commemorative programs, including the 50 State Quarters Program, which began in 1999 and followed a similar approach of using the quarter denomination as a canvas for designs that rotated over time.
1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter
The 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter is the apotheosis of American numismatic celebration at its most approachable and democratic.
Not extremely rare, nor even particularly valuable, in monetary terms, these quarters are significant due to their historical context and unique design as well as their place in the popularization of coin collecting in the bicentennial era.
As physical connections to the celebration of America’s 200th birthday, they occupy a cherished place in collections across the country.
