Coin collectors love the 1776-1976 D U.S. Bicentennial Quarter. This quarter, struck to honor the US’ 200th anniversary, is notable for its historical significance and unusual variations that can be worth a lot. Rare varieties include the “filled mint mark” quarter, which increases in value during minting.
This page describes the 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter, how the filled mint mark occurs, its value to collectors, and distinguishing a rare filled mint mark quarter from issues.
Bicentennial Quarter Summary
Quick Bicentennial Quarter Overview End
The importane of the quarter 1776-1976 must be understood within its context. The Declaration of Independence was signed in the year 1776. The United States marked 200 years since its birth in 1975 and 1976. For that reason, the U.S. Mint released quarters, half dollars, and dollars as commemoration.
To honor the patriotic element of the commemoration, the reverse side of the Bicentennial Quarter was altered. U.S. Mint engraver Jack L. Ahr designed a striking reverse, featuring the colonial drummer, to identify the Revolutionary War and independence. This design replaced the 1932 quarter reverse eagle.
On the obverse, John Flanagan’s depiction of George Washington was retained, combined with “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “1776–1976” to commemorate the country’s 200th birthday.
The US Mint struck 1975 and 1976 quarters for this series. Since the Mint was spacing the actual striking, or production, a number of coins were minted in 1975 but dated 1776-1976. The coin’s design was the same event but it was struck in 1975 and 1976.
coin’s “D” is actually a symbol of the Denver Mint, one of four facilities in the United States Mint which produces coins for circulation. Since 1906, Denver has made quarters, and its mint mark is “D”.
Because the U.S. Mint anticipated high demand due to their historical significance, the Denver Mint produced huge quantities of 1776-1976 quarters. There were 800 million Bicentennial quarters minted and many of them were minted at the Denver Mint, which makes them common today.
But even with the massive mintage, some variations, especially those involving minting errors, can be valuable collectibles.
What’s a Filled Mint Mark?
A “mint mark” is a small letter or symbol on coins that identifies the minting facility. Below “LIBERTY” on the obverse of the 1776-1976 Bicentennial quarter is the mint mark “D”.
When a mint mark has not been fully struck, it appears deformed or “filled”. The minting die, that carries the mint mark, becomes clogged with metallic particles or other waste in the course of coin manufacture. The mint mark may look uneven, parts of the “D” missing or smudged. For the “filled mint mark” variation, the mint mark may be entirely filled in with no “D” visible.
Why Is a Filled Mint Mark Valuable?
errors of the minting process. Most U.S. Mint coins have readable mint marks, but rare or unique defects like filled mint marks increase the value of a coin. Collector’s love these imperfections for it makes the coin unique and interesting.
The filled mint mark on a 1776-1976 D Bicentennial Quarter is very sought after for collectors due to its historical significance. While many quarters of the 1776-1976 issue are worth little more than face value, a filled mint mark could be worth a little more.
How to Identify Filled Mint Marks
To locate a filled mint mark on a 1776-1976 D Bicentennial quarter locate the “D” mint mark under Washington’s neck of the obverse. The mint mark could be faint, filled, or incomplete on a filled coin.
Steps to identify the rare filled mint mark variety:
1. Inspect the Mint Mark: Look at the obverse “D” mint mark. A filled mint mark is lacking parts of the “D”, blob-like, or smudged.
2. Spread the mint mark using a hand lens or jeweler’s loupe to reveal any form and size irregularities in mint marks.
3. Search for Other Markings Indications of Wear: Die issues characteristically present as filled mint marks, but can sometimes occur with die cracks or chips. Inspect the entire coin for imperfections.
4. Compare to Known Varieties: Use reputable coin dealers or collectors’ websites to compare your piece to filled mint mark 1776-1976 D Bicentennial quarter photos. These references will authenticate the rarity of your coin.
Value of 1776-1976 D Filled Mint Mark Quarter
Depending on its condition, the degree of its error, and the demand from collectors, a 1776-1976 D Bicentennial quarter with a filled mint mark can be worth a lot of money. Uncirculated 1776-1976 D quarters are worth 25 cents. When the mint mark is filled, the coin may be more valuable.
Value of filled mint mark Bicentennial quarters can sell for a few dollars to several hundred dollars, depending on their condition and mint mark rarity. Uncirculated or gem uncirculated coins with rare or striking filled mint marks can sell for $100 or more at auction.
The coin can be priced up more due to the filled mint mark, which is rare and visible. Even though it’s a very rare occurrence, some filled mint mark errors sell for hundreds of dollars.
The 1776-1976 D Bicentennial Quarter represents American history, but for a collector, the filled mint mark variety is rare and an error worth much more than face value. If you have a quarter in your collection or find one in circulation, check the mint mark. Filled mint marks may indicate a coin worth a lot more than face value.
Whether you are an old-time collector or new to the world of coin collecting, the 1776-1976 D filled quarter is certainly interesting and even valuable. Keep your wits, and happy hunting!
FAQs
What is a filled mint mark, and how does it occur on a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter?
A filled mint mark occurs when debris, grease, or dirt accumulates in the minting die, partially blocking or distorting the mint mark (the “D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco). This results in a mint mark that appears to be incomplete or “filled in” rather than fully stamped. In the case of the 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter, a filled mint mark could occur during the coin’s production at the mint, making it rarer and more valuable to collectors. The most common mint marks to find with this issue are “D” (Denver) and “S” (San Francisco), and a filled mint mark typically makes the coin more interesting for collectors who are looking for variations.
How rare is the filled mint mark on the 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter?
A filled mint mark on a Bicentennial Quarter is relatively rare, as it is not common for minting errors like this to occur. While most 1776-1976 quarters come with a clear mint mark, some coins were struck with imperfections that caused the mint mark to be filled or distorted. The occurrence of such errors varies by year and mint, but filled mint marks are generally considered an unusual error, and this rarity can make the coin more valuable, depending on the degree of the mint mark’s distortion and other factors like condition.
How much is a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter with a filled mint mark worth?
The value of a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter with a filled mint mark depends on the severity of the error, the coin’s condition (graded on a scale like the Sheldon scale from 1 to 70), and current demand among collectors. A filled mint mark could increase the value of the quarter by a significant margin, but it typically won’t be worth as much as other, more significant errors (like double dies or off-center strikes). On average, these quarters with a filled mint mark can range in value from $10 to $50, but rare, well-preserved examples or those with particularly notable mint mark errors could be worth more. It’s always a good idea to have a coin professionally graded to get an accurate assessment of its value.