One Bicentennial Coin Is Worth Over $19,000, Plus 9 Other Highly Valuable Coins

To celebrate the nation's 200th birthday back in 1976, the U.S. Mint released a series of commemorative coins, including a few quarters that are wildly valuable today. If you're looking for a fun, relatively simple side hustle to help pay for your bills, selling collectible coins might be the answer. While the large majority of bicentennial quarters are worth exactly 25 cents, some hold value due to their composition (more silver), high-grade condition, or unique minting errors.

Keep an eye out for these valuable bicentennial quarters, including one worth nearly $20,000 and other coins that have sold for five figures and beyond.

Editor's note: All auction records come from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), unless otherwise stated.

1976-S bicentennial quarter

Auction record: $19,200

Bicentennial quarters feature the familiar portrait of George Washington on the obverse and a colonial drummer on the reverse. Some of these commemorative coins were made with 40% silver and 60% copper, a composition which itself adds value to any coin.

The most valuable bicentennial quarter sold was a silver one minted in San Francisco. Even though millions of these coins were made, finding them in excellent condition, MS68 and above, is very rare.

The coin that sold for nearly $20,000 was graded MS69 and sold in 2019.

1976-D bicentennial quarter double die obverse

Auction record: $8,400

Bicentennial quarters minted in Denver with an error known as "double die" on the obverse are rare in high grades and have sold for hundreds even when graded below MS60. The doubling is difficult to see with the naked eye but is typically most apparent in the word "Liberty."

The auction record exceeding $8,000 was for a rare coin graded MS66.

1976 bicentennial quarter struck on dime planchet

Auction record: $2,520

There are only a few known examples of bicentennial quarters mistakenly struck on dime planchets. It's quite easy to see the mistake, as both obverse and reverse images appear to be slightly cut off, and the lettering and dates are obviously stretched.

One of these rarities was sold through Heritage Auctions in 2024 for more than $2,500.

1932-D Washington quarter

Auction record: $143,750

At the time of the now well-known Washington quarters' debut in 1932, the U.S. was in the midst of the Great Depression. There was little demand for new coins, so the mintage of these quarters was low. Even in grades below MS60, these coins sell for hundreds of dollars.

In grades MS64 and above, that value for these 90% silver pieces increases into the thousands. The six-figure auction record was for an MS66 graded coin, which sold in 2008.

1969-S double die Lincoln penny

Auction record: $126,500

The 1969 double die Lincoln penny minted in San Francisco is another coin that's been known to earn six-figure payouts, as fewer than 100 are known to exist.

The double die error could clearly be observed in the letters and date on the front of the coin, and an authentic version will not show any doubling on the "S" mintmark as that was struck with a different die. The auction record exceeds $126,000.

1943 double die Washington quarter

Auction record: $22,250

The 1943 quarter is considered the rarest double die in the entire Washington quarter series, and the doubling is typically easy to observe on the coin's obverse in the words "In God We Trust" and "Liberty."

Even in low grades, these coins can sell for hundreds. The five-figure auction record was for a rare MS67 graded quarter.

1996 $1 Silver Eagle

Auction record: $21,850

Silver coins are generally considered valuable for two reasons: rarity and their "melt value," which is based on the going rate of silver. The 1996 Silver Eagle ($1 coin) is particularly valuable due to the low mintage that year. In high grades, the coins tend to be worth a few hundred dollars.

The auction record was hit in 2009 for a perfectly graded MS70 coin.

1990 Lincoln penny proof - no S

Auction record: $20,700

Proof coins tend to be struck for collectors, so it's far less common to stumble across them while out and about. Only about 200 examples of the "missing mintmark" 1990 Lincoln proof penny, which were struck in San Francisco but have no "S" mark to show for it, exist, according to PCGS.

The auction record for a PR69 graded coin surpassed $20k.

1992-D 'close AM' Lincoln penny

Auction record: $14,100

Even though billions of Lincoln pennies were minted in 1992, only a few dozen have an extremely valuable error known as "close AM." The descriptor refers to the A and M in "America" on the coin's reverse. The letters are closer than normal and almost appear to be touching.

Even in lower grades, these coins are worth thousands. The auction record of $14,100 was for an MS65 graded coin.

1982-P Washington quarter

Auction record: $10,200

Because the U.S. Mint didn't produce Mint Sets containing quarters in 1982, finding these coins in good condition is incredibly rare. Due to that scarcity, coins graded MS66 and above tend to be worth a few hundred dollars. The $10,200 auction record was for an extremely rare MS68 graded coin.

Bottom line

Collecting and reselling coins can be a fun hobby and a legit way to make extra money on the side. However, understanding the factors that make coins valuable before assuming anything could bring in a fortune is key. Look for distinguishing marks, weigh coins (if you believe they're made of valuable material like silver), and consider getting prospects professionally graded by a service like PCGS.

You May Also Like

$200 Bonus + Up to 5% Cash Back

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Member FDIC

SPONSORED

5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

By FinanceBuzz Editors

6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially

By FinanceBuzz Editors

7 Clever Ways to Crush Your Debt

By FinanceBuzz Editors

Hands Down The Laziest Ways People Are Making Extra Cash

By FinanceBuzz Editors

7 Moves If You Want to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

By FinanceBuzz Editors

25 Legit Ways to Make Extra Cash

By Team FBZ

Earn Free Cash Within Minutes — Up To $1,000

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Freecash Benefits

• Earn Free Cash Within Minutes — Up To $1,000
• Has paid out over $100 million to users since 2019
• You choose the offers you want to complete and stack for rewards
• Multiple cash-out options
• “Excellent” Trustpilot Rating (54,000+ reviews, 4.6/5 stars)

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Download Freecash

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms