The 1776–1976 Bicentennial Washington Quarter was minted to celebrate America’s 200th year of independence — and over 1.6 billion were produced. Most people think they’re common, and in most cases they’re right. But here’s what collectors don’t tell you:

✅ Some rare Bicentennial quarters with specific mint errors have sold for up to $1,000,000.
✅ And many error types are still hiding in jars, drawers, and old coin albums today. 😱

If you have a Bicentennial quarter at home, DON’T SPEND IT until you check for these rare mistakes.

---

🔍 Top 1776–1976 Quarter Errors Worth Up to $1 Million

1️⃣ ⚙️ Strike-Through Error (The $1M Star)

What it is:
A foreign object — grease, cloth fibers, metal shavings, even dust — got trapped between the die and the blank coin during striking.

This leaves strange marks, dents, missing details, or unusual textures.

What to look for:

• Areas that look “melted” or flat
• Raised lumps or missing details
• Weird shapes on the drummer boy or Washington’s face

Value:

• Minor strike-throughs: $100–$900
• Large dramatic full-surface strike-throughs in MS67+ condition: up to $1,000,000

💡 Collectors once paid $900 for a tiny strike-through — imagine the price of a flawless MS68 example with a major error.

---

2️⃣ 🔍 Doubled Die Error (Collectors’ Holy Grail)

What it is:
A misaligned die created a doubled image on parts of the design.

Where to check:

• “LIBERTY”
• “IN GOD WE TRUST”
• Drummer boy’s hands, drumsticks, drum, and face 🥁

Value:

• Sharp doubled dies in uncirculated condition: $50,000 – $1,000,000+
• Best-case scenario: MS68 or MS69 examples can reach the million-dollar tier.

---

3️⃣ 🎵 Grease-Filled Die Error (Ghost Drummer Boy)

What it is:
When the reverse die becomes clogged with grease, the drummer boy appears faint, blurry, or missing.

What to look for:

• Weak drummer boy details
• Smooth or “ghost-like” reverse
• Missing drumsticks or face

Value:

• Up to $250,000+, especially when paired with another minor error such as off-center strikes or die cracks.

---

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

✅ Is a 1776–1976 quarter worth anything?

Most are worth $0.25 to $3.

But rare:

• doubled dies
• strike-throughs
• high-grade mint-state examples
  …can sell anywhere from $1,000 to $1,000,000+

---

✅ How many Bicentennial quarters were minted?

Over 1.6 billion, including:

• Denver (D) – largest total
• Philadelphia (no mint mark)
• San Francisco (S) – regular proofs & silver proofs

Because mintage was huge, only errors and pristine MS67–MS69 coins bring big value.

---

📬 Get Daily Rare Coin Alerts

Love treasure hunting in your pocket change?
Our FREE Daily Coin Newsletter gives you:

✅ Hidden gems worth $500–$1,000+
✅ Real auction results
✅ Quick 5-minute reads
✅ No spam

---