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This Bicentennial Quarter Sold for Nearly $20K - Here’s How To Spot One

Bicentennial quarters made of more valuable silver weigh just a bit more

By Calista Headrick , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Sept. 5, 2026

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To celebrate the United States' 200th birthday back in 1976, the U.S. Mint issued a series of special-edition coins, including bicentennial quarters. Among that bicentennial bunch, one quarter smashed auction records and sold for nearly $20,000 back in 2019.

Getting into the coin collecting and selling game could be a fun way to get ahead financially, but it is important to understand what makes a coin valuable. Most bicentennial quarters are worth exactly 25 cents. The record-breaking sale was linked to the coin's unique features and excellent condition.

Here's how to spot a valuable bicentennial quarter, and a roundup of a few other rare versions that could be worth a couple thousand dollars as well.

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The 1976-S bicentennial quarter

Bicentennial quarters feature the familiar portrait of George Washington on the obverse and a colonial drummer boy and 13 stars surrounding a torch on the reverse. Some of these commemorative coins were made with 40% silver and 60% copper, rather than a standard copper/nickel combo.

The most valuable bicentennial quarter ever sold was a silver one minted in San Francisco. Even though millions of these quarters were created, finding them in excellent condition is extremely rare. Anything graded less than MS68 is likely worth less than $100.

The coin that sold for $19,200, the auction record, was graded MS69. Like other coins, a bicentennial quarter's weight, markings, and condition matter a great deal in assessing value.

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Weight/composition

Bicentennial quarters made of silver weigh slightly more than the standard copper/nickel clad versions due to their composition. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), the silver quarters weigh 5.75 grams while the versions made of 75% copper and 25% nickel weigh 5.67 grams.

It's not a huge difference, but it is enough to determine if you have a copper/nickel or more valuable silver/copper bicentennial quarter.

Mint mark location

Silver bicentennial quarters were minted in San Francisco, so these coins include a small "S" mint mark located just to the right of Washington's portrait on the obverse.

The copper and nickel clad versions were minted in Philadelphia and Denver. A small "S" on the front of your bicentennial quarter could be a sign that you have a valuable coin in your hands.

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Grading tiers

When it comes to coin value, grade matters a great deal. Mint state (MS) coins are in excellent condition and will appear as if they have never been in circulation.

PCGS uses a numbered system ranging from MS60 to MS70 for these coins, with MS70 being essentially perfect and MS60 displaying some clear flaws.

The bicentennial quarter that sold for nearly $20,000 was graded MS69, which means it was struck extremely well and displayed minimal visible imperfections.

Authentication

If you believe you have a valuable bicentennial quarter, or any coin for that matter, it is worth it to get it authenticated through a reputable service like PCGS or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).

This will let buyers know that you have an authentic coin, and a professional can give you a better idea of the true value, so you don't list it for much higher or lower than it's worth on a site like eBay.

Other valuable Bicentennial quarters

Though nothing has come close to the $19,200 auction record, a few other bicentennial quarters have sold for serious cash in the past and could be worth keeping an eye out for.

For example, some quarters struck in Denver have an error known as a "double die" on the obverse. The quarters are rare in high grades and have sold for hundreds even with grades below mint state 60. The doubling is difficult to see with the naked eye, but it is typically most visible on the word "Liberty."

One of these double-die obverse bicentennial quarters sold for more than $8,000 in 2023.

Additionally, though it is incredibly rare, there are a few known examples of bicentennial quarters mistakenly struck on dime planchets. This mistake is easy to see, as both the obverse and reverse images are cut off.

One of these coins sold for more than $2,500 in 2024.

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Bottom line

For those who enjoy collecting and learning about coins, reselling valuable pieces could be a fun way to make some extra money on the side. If you think you have a valuable coin, it is often worth it to get it professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC so that you understand the true worth and can list your merchandise accordingly.

Though you can look for certified coin dealers in your area, you can also use a tool like PCGS Photograde Online to get an estimate of your coin's grade from the comfort of your own home.

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