In the United States, the world of collectors is vast. Now, the latest addition is a 1976 quarter without a mint mark, the letter indicating the mint where it was minted, which celebrates the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This coin can fetch thousands of dollars to collectors. In fact, some of these coins have sold for as much as $20,000 at auction, so stumbling upon one can be more than just a joy.
A coin’s value can be very high
Numismatics is the study and collection of coins, banknotes, medals, and more. This branch analyzes coin design, value, history, and the object’s circulation. A coin’s value can be very high, as many factors influence its final price. In the case of the 25-cent Bicentennial coin, variations due to manufacturing errors and the rarity of this particular coin have a lot to do with it.
The coins are from Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco
According to GoBankingRates, the United States Mint released a special edition of 25-cent coins in 1976 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. These coins were produced in three different locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Although the 1976 Bicentennial quarters are made of nickel, copper, and zinc, silver-plated coins are rarer and more valuable. The 1976 quarter, which can fetch up to $4,500, has no mint mark, neither D nor S. This signifies that it was produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
How to Find the Famous Coins
First, look for the silver-plated 1976-S Bicentennial quarter, which is different from the regular 1976 quarters. This particular coin was minted in San Francisco, and it’s important to note that only these coins were silver-plated, as we mentioned earlier. The obverse of the coin features a bust of President George Washington, the word LIBERTY, the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST, and the dates 1776-1976.
The coins made by silver increases their value
On the other hand, the reverse shows a man wearing a hat playing a colonial drum, facing left, and a victory torch surrounded by thirteen stars. The following phrases also appear: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and QUARTER DOLLAR.
However, the coins minted in San Francisco stand out significantly because they were coated with 40% silver. And this material, obviously, exponentially increases their value. The Professional Coin Grading Service offers an estimate of the value of this coin with this “error.” A good example, graded MS68, could be worth $4,500.
Also we have the 1946 Roosevelt dime and the 1971 Eisenhower dime
In addition to this coin, among the rarest and most highly valued today are the 1946 Roosevelt dime, named after Franklin D. Roosevelt, which could be worth up to $2.2 billion. Then there’s the 1971 Eisenhower dime. This coin is highly valued, especially for its historical value and rarity, and could also fetch up to $2.2 billion.
To sum up, if you look into your pockets and find a coin that doesn’t match with the others, just go en look on the official website and check with an expert because maybe you are holding a thousands dollar coin.
