1976 Quarter

• 1976 Quarter 1776

Circulating Coins

Surely there is – it's a one-year design (actually struck in 1975 and 1976) that has a unique picture of a Colonial drummer boy on the reverse and unusual 1776-1976 dual dating on the obverse. Some folks even ask me if it's really a 1776 quarter. I explain the reason for the dual dating and the importance of the anniversary. The quarter is a bicentennial 1976 minted in Philadelphia. In mint condition you could get maybe $3.00 - $4. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter (6,146 made) $12,000; 1804 Draped Bust Quarter (6,738) $4,500; 1822 25 over 50 c Capped Bust Quarter (unknown quantity) $4,500; 1823 over 2 Capped Bust Quarter (estimated 30 to 40 exist) $40,000; 1828 25 over 50 c Capped Bust Quarter (unknown quantity) $1,250; 1842-O Seated Liberty Quarter with small date (unknown quantity) $800; 1849-O Seated Liberty Quarter (unknown.

• Year of Issue: 1796 to Present
• Authorizing Legislation: Coinage Act of 1792

Background

The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program is the U.S. 25-cent coin program, spanning 2010 to 2021. The obverse (heads) shows the profile of George Washington used on the quarter since 1932. The reverse (tails) features five designs each year depicting national parks and sites from the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories.

The 2021 General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter will circulate following the issuance of the final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The obverse features the profile of Washington and the inscriptions that appeared on the quarter before the 50 State Quarters Program began in 1999. The reverse depicts Washington’s historic crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War.

The first quarter made by the U.S. Mint in 1796 was silver. The designs from 1796 to 1930 showed Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.

From 1916 to 1930, the Mint produced the “Standing Liberty” quarter designed by Hermon A. MacNeil. The early 20th century brought some of our country’s most iconic coin designs, including this quarter. The obverse featured the figure of Liberty stepping through the opening in a wall. She held a shield in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The reverse depicted an eagle in flight.

In 1932, an image of George Washington designed by John Flanagan replaced Liberty on the obverse of the quarter. The design change honored Washington’s 200th birthday. From 1932 to 1998, the reverse featured an eagle with wings spread, standing on a bundle of arrows with olive branches beneath it. In 1965, the Mint removed silver from the quarter and the composition became copper-nickel clad.

In 1975 and 1976, the Mint celebrated the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence with a temporary reverse design. The “Bicentennial” quarter shows a colonial drummer and a victory torch circled by 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies. It is impossible to tell a quarter minted in 1975 from one in 1976, as all are inscribed with “1776-1976”.

From 1999 to 2008, the reverse design changed five times a year through the 50 State Quarters Program. The reverse designs featured elements that celebrated each state. In 2009, the reverse design changed six times through the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.

Other Circulating Coins:

Penny Nickel Dime Half Dollar

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Characteristics

Obverse (heads): Shows the familiar image of George Washington used on the quarter since 1932.
Reverse (tails): Depicts different national parks and sites from the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories through the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

Obverse Inscriptions

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• QUARTER DOLLAR

Reverse Inscriptions

• The national site name
• Location (state or territory)
• Year
• E PLURIBUS UNUM

Mint and Mint Mark

Specifications

1976 Quarter 1776

Composition	Weight	Diameter	Thickness	Edge	No. of Reeds
Cupro-Nickel Balance Cu	5.670 g	24.26 mm	1.75 mm	Reeded	119