Bicentennial Quarter Error List: 1976 Values and Varieties Guide

macro image of the obverse of a 1776-1976 quarter in Mint State condition weighing 5.67g.

1976 Bicentennial Quarter Errors, Varieties, and Values

Bicentennial Error Quick-Check

Does your quarter have an 'S' mint mark (located near the bottom right of the portrait)?

1776 to 1976 Bicentennial quarter are collectible coins. Keep scrolling to see various drummer boy quarter dollar coin errors and varieties, and learn why they’re extremely valuable quarters. 

1976 Bicentennial Quarter Error Value Chart (2026 Market)

Error / Variety Type Circulated (XF) Mint State (MS65) High Grade (MS67+)
1976-D Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) $150 - $350 $1,200 - $3,500 $8,400+
6-Finger Drummer Hand (Reverse) $25 - $75 $150 - $325 $750+
1976-S 40% Silver (Business Strike) $8 - $15 $45 - $110 $2,500 - $19,200*
Filled "D" Mint Mark Error $15 - $40 $85 - $200 $500+
Struck Through Grease (Drum Error) $5 - $12 $35 - $80 $200+

*Market values as of Jan 2026. MS69 records for Silver Business Strikes have exceeded $19,000. Professional grading (PCGS/NGC) is recommended for high-value errors.

Bicentennial Doubled Dies

Many coin collectors search for bicentennial quarters because of its unique drummer boy reverse design shown here

Doubling displays on both the obverse and reverse of some American quarters.  For instance, note the device lettering of In God We Trust, appearing plump and overly stretched in the image below, because the letters display extra thickness.

Microscopic view of doubling on a bicentennial quarter doubled die

The struck-through grease error on the drum is in fact very common and not considered a rare quarter, so it has to be flawless otherwise to be more valuable. Finding a flawless mint state coin requires checking for tiny contact marks. A 10X Jewelers Loupe is the tool of choice for this.

Coin Examination Toolkit

A coin microscope is necessary to find these rare doubled die obverse and reverse quarters. It’s helpful for inspecting and detecting any coins for errors.

Use a Weightman Digital Pocket Scale (0.01g) to verify the standard weight of 5.67g (clad) vs. the rare 5.9g (40% silver proof).
microscopic image a common error displaying in the center of the drum on the drummer boy quarter dollar coin

Rare 1976 Bicentennial Doubled Die Quarter Dollar Coins

For instance, a keen inspector examining mint sets led to the discovery of a Bicentennial Quarter Doubled Die Obverse Variety Coin!  Without being an error or variety coin, any in flawless mint state condition are extremely valuable Bicentennial American quarters.  

First, check out the rainbow toned coin that sold for $2520.00.  Then another most expensive quarter for nearly $7000.00 and compare the images!

Look for the filled-in D mint mark on the obverse of this coin.  On the reverse, look for the 6-finger hand error on 1776-1976 Drummer Boy Bicentennial Quarters.

Macro image of a rare filled-in D mint mark on the obverse of a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Drummer Boy Quarter.

Finding errors and varieties are most often discovered by those who hunt through original unwrapped bank rolls, or through an inheritance and estate auctions. 

 

It’s easy to get an idea of its worth by comparing the condition of bicentennial quarters to the images of the most valuable quarters already graded.

Microscopic view of an obverse die break error on a 1776-1976 Drummer Quarter, with arrows pointing to the raised metal crack on the date.

However,  an investment is required to have a coin graded.  For instance, sometimes it’s better to just list the coin for sale in a flip on sites such as ebay.  Check out other examples to learn from.

micro image showing shelf doubling on a 1776 to 1976 quarter dollar

Semiquincentennial Quarter

Will the Semiquincentennial Quarter errors have as much value? Demand for unsearched rolls is at an all-time high because every collector wants to find the first 1776–2026 quarter error!

Coin Roll Hunting Unsearched Rolls

Just as with Semiquincentennial Quarter, the best chance of finding a bicentennial drum quarter errors and varieties in a high mint state grades is by searching through uncirculated original bank wrapped rolls for sale

micro image of the 6-finger hand error on the reverse of a rare 1776-1976 Drummer Boy Bicentennial Quarter

Examine all 1976 mint sets for the s mint doubled die obverse quarter, but remember the s mint doesn’t mean silver.  Its weight does, so it’s possible to turn a quarter into thousands by the flip of a coin.

microscopic image of arrow noting a die crack error on the obverse of 1776 to 1976 american quarter

Collector’s Expert Insight Tip

Look for rare doubled dies in mint state grades to make the most profit.  Doubled die variety listings are available to view and compare images courtesy doubleddie.com.

Silver Versus Clad Identification

Click the link to see a coin graded MS67, and certified by NGC, but sold for more than $5000.00Bicentennial quarters are famous for having both 40% Silver and Copper-Nickel versions. You can tell by the missing copper color along the edge. 

To verify a 40% silver Bicentennial quarter, use a coin scale. As noted above, a standard clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams, while the rare 40% silver version weighs 5.75 grams.

Placing drummer boy quarters under a coin microscope are worth taking the time and making the effort to carefully examine.  High mint state flawless coins in flips sell at $25.00 and up on ebay!

Quarter dollars already display a portrait of George Washington on the front since 1932, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth.  

up close image of a bicentennial quarter with arrows noting die strike errors on the reverse of the coin between the stars and fire on the torch

The reverse design features a colonial drummer and a victory torch surrounded by thirteen stars. It was minted during the years 1975 and 1976 and displays the dual dates. Check out this 1964 silver quarter transitional error!

microscopic image of arrows noting a die dot the reverse of a 1976 bicentennial quarter dollar coin

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Looking for more high-value errors? Check out the 1976 Bicentennial half dollar Error list to see if you have a $5,000 discovery.  

Finished with quarters?  The Morgan Silver Dollar is the ‘King’ of American coins. See which ones are worth $100,000+ here.