In the United States, millions of pennies are used every day, but each one only has its face value. But some coins have secret value, especially rare ones that can sell for astronomical amounts of money.
One of these coins is the George Washington Bicentennial Quarter, a 25-cent piece made to mark the 200th anniversary of the United States’ freedom.
There are millions of these quarters in circulation, but one very rare type with a double-struck obverse error has become very valuable. Some examples have sold for as much as $5 million in collecting markets.
In 1975 and 1976, the George Washington Bicentennial Quarter was made to mark the 200th anniversary of the United States’ freedom. Unlike regular quarters, this one has two dates on it: “1776-1976,” which shows how important the bicentennial era was in history.
Along with its other unique features, this design choice makes it stand out from other U.S. coins. Millions of these coins were made, but some variations, especially ones with mistakes in the minting, are worth a lot more than their market value.
Marks of the mint:
Three places made the George Washington Bicentennial Quarters: Denver (D), Philadelphia (no mint mark), and San Francisco (S). You can find the mint mark on the front of the coin just below Washington’s neck.
What’s wrong with this coin that makes it valuable
Many George Washington Bicentennial Quarters are still worth their face value of 25 cents, but some have become very expensive. This mistake is most uncommon on the front, where it shows two strikes.
This mistake happens when the design on the front of the coin is stamped twice, leaving a weak picture that isn’t lined up right. Collectors really like this coin because of the unique way that Washington’s face and the writing on it are not lined up properly on the front.
Finding the Double-Strike Mistake
Pay close attention to the front of the coin to spot a double-struck face. Here are some important traits to look for:
- A faint double image of Washington’s face stands out as the most obvious sign. There is a small difference in alignment between the two images.
- Ghostly Pattern: The double-strike makes a strange, ghostly pattern that is simple to spot once you know what to look for.
- The mistake is very rare, and the coin is very important historically. These factors make the coin very expensive.
Why is the Bicentennial Quarter with Two Strikes So Valuable?
The double-struck George Washington Bicentennial Quarter is very valuable for a number of reasons:
Almost Uncommon
Minting mistakes, especially with double-strikes, don’t happen very often. This makes the few quarters that are double-struck even more valuable to collectors.
Significance in History
The coin marks the 200th anniversary of the United States’ freedom, which gives it extra historical value that coin collectors and history buffs will enjoy.
High Demand for Collectors
People who collect coins are especially interested in coins that are connected to important events, especially if they have unique flaws from when they were minted. In the world of coins, the double-struck Bicentennial Quarter is very valuable. Collectors are willing to pay millions of dollars for the very few that still have this mistake.
How to Find a Bicentennial Quarter That Is Striked Twice
If you think you might have one of these rare coins, please follow these steps:
- Check Your Quarters: First, look at any quarters that have the dates 1776–1976 on them. These are the 200th anniversary quarters.
- Keep an eye out for double-strike signs: Look closely at the front of the coin with a magnifying glass. Look for the faint double picture of George Washington’s face or any writing that isn’t lined up right.
- Look at the mint mark: Proof coins from the San Francisco mint are likely to be found in sets for collectors rather than everyday use. The more valuable it is, the more likely it is to have the double-strike mistake.
- Talk to an Expert: If you think you might have a valuable coin, you should always talk to a certified numismatist or coin expert first. A professional organization like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) can help you figure out how much the coin is worth on the market by authenticating and grading it.
You might be sitting on a $5 million coin.
Even though it’s not likely, you might find a George Washington Bicentennial Quarter that has been struck twice in your pocket change. There are a lot of these coins in circulation, so it’s important to check your quarters. Because of the coin’s historical value and the rare mistake, it could be a find worth millions of dollars.
Also See: Rare Bicentennial Quarter Valued at Nearly $100 Million
In the interesting world of numismatics, a small mistake in production can turn a normal coin into a very valuable treasure.
The George Washington Bicentennial Quarter is a great example of this. Always look through your pocket change for possible gems. You could find the next rare collector’s item that’s worth a lot of money.
