Bicentennial quarter (1776–1976)

How to read it

Public Law 93-127 of 1973 required quarters, half dollars and dollars minted for issue between 4 July 1975 and 1 January 1977 to carry the date 1776-1976 instead of the year, with new reverse designs. A national competition chose Jack Ahr’s colonial drummer for the quarter, and the US Mint says the 13 stars stand for the 13 original colonies. Because all of them carry 1776–1976, a quarter struck in 1975 cannot be told from one struck in 1976. The quarter was released on 18 August 1975, and the Mint’s final circulating mintage was 1.67 billion.

Also searched as: 1776-1976 quarter, drummer boy quarter.

Clad and silver versions

PCGS says circulating Bicentennial quarters were struck at Philadelphia and Denver in copper-nickel over a copper core, 5.67 grams. The Mint also made proof and uncirculated versions for collectors in 40% silver, and sold them under a bulk-rate program open to anyone. PCGS lists the silver 1976-S at 5.75 grams with a mintage of 11,000,000, very common in circulated grades, and says all the proofs carry an S for San Francisco.

Look-alikes

The other two Bicentennial coins have the same dual date: the half dollar shows Independence Hall and the dollar the Liberty Bell and the moon.