Most Bicentennial quarters have values no more than their face value of 25 cents, but extremely rare and single examples may sell for prices that will send a dent through the price of a luxury car.
On the other side, the Bugatti Chiron is a car worth more than $3 million, so it would require the very most expensive rare coins.
Check out these three unique types of Bicentennial quarters. If you were lucky enough to own them, they might be worth as much as a Bugatti.
1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter in Pristine Condition (High MS or PR70 Grades)
There aren’t many coins in any collection that are rated MS (Mint State) or PR (Proof) 70, and it’s almost unheard of to find a Bicentennial quarter in this condition.
Under a microscope, an MS70 or PR70-grade coin is flawless with smooth surfaces and edges. That makes it very desirable among collectors.
Value: They can bring more than $10,000 at auction if they are in MS70 or PR70 condition. That’s not even close to the price of a Bugatti Chiron, but a few dozen of these extremely rare coins could add up.
Gold coins that are graded at their best get so much attention and can even rise in value.
How to Find It: A high-grade coin should have sharp lines, no flaws or scratches that can be seen, and its original shine.
For this high of a grade to be real, the coin must be certified by a reputable grading service, such as PCGS or NGC.
2. The 1976 Bicentennial Silver Quarter (Error Strike)
Why It’s Valuable: Most Bicentennial quarters were made of copper and nickel, but some were made with 40% silver for special collector sets.
There are also very rare minting mistakes on some of these silver coins, like double strikes or strikes that are not in the middle.
These quarters are even more valuable because they are made of silver and there was a mistake when they were minted.
Value: In high grade, a silver Bicentennial quarter with a big minting error could fetch $10,000 to $20,000 or even more. This is especially true if the mistake is big and the coin is in perfect condition.
How to Identify It: Standard quarters have a copper-colored edge, but silver Bicentennial quarters will not. They will have a clear silver shine.
Double strikes and other errors can be seen with the naked eye and can make the quarter look like it is doubled or out of place.
3. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter Prototype or Die Trial
Because the Mint tests the coins before they are made in large quantities, prototype or die trial coins are very hard to find.
If there are any samples of the Bicentennial quarter that got lost while being at the Mint, they would be very valuable because they are very rare and have historical value.
Value: An item such as this unique could easily bring in more than $50,000 at auction, and perhaps much, much more, depending on where it came from, its quality, and the collector’s interest in it.
A sample quarter could be one of the most valuable Bicentennial quarters in the world if proven genuine.
How to Detect It: Prototypes are marked or have features that distinguish them from regular coins.
They can have a peculiar weight, other metal composition, or marks. A top-notch coin expert needs to examine them and ensure that they are real.