40% Silver 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter (BU or Proof)

Buyback price:  $4.36
Bullion Standard Pro Buyback price:  $4.42

Product ID: BST-001970015A

Specifications

Year 1976
Precious Metal Type Silver
Bullion Coin Type Washington Quarter
Format Coin
Country of Origin United States
Brand/Mint U.S. Mint
Mint Mark S - San Francisco
Purity 0.4
Weight 0.0737 oz
Thickness (mm) 1.75 mm
Diameter (mm) 24.3 mm
Grade BU
Finish Proof

Product Details

Overview of the 40% Silver 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter

The 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter is one of the most recognizable commemorative coins in American numismatic history, struck by the United States Mint to mark the nation's 200th anniversary of independence. The 40% silver version was produced specifically for collector sets and is composed of an outer layer of 80% silver bonded to an inner core of 21% silver, resulting in an overall silver content of 40% and a total silver weight of approximately 0.0737 troy ounces. Unlike the copper-nickel clad versions intended for general circulation, these silver strikes were offered only through the Mint's collector programs and were never released into everyday commerce.

We carry the Bicentennial Quarter in both Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof condition, giving collectors the flexibility to choose based on their preferred finish and display standard. Each coin carries a face value of twenty-five cents as official United States legal tender, though its collector and silver content value has long since exceeded that nominal denomination.

History and Background

Congress authorized a special coinage program in 1973 to commemorate Ame

Overview of the 40% Silver 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter

The 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter is one of the most recognizable commemorative coins in American numismatic history, struck by the United States Mint to mark the nation's 200th anniversary of independence. The 40% silver version was produced specifically for collector sets and is composed of an outer layer of 80% silver bonded to an inner core of 21% silver, resulting in an overall silver content of 40% and a total silver weight of approximately 0.0737 troy ounces. Unlike the copper-nickel clad versions intended for general circulation, these silver strikes were offered only through the Mint's collector programs and were never released into everyday commerce.

We carry the Bicentennial Quarter in both Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof condition, giving collectors the flexibility to choose based on their preferred finish and display standard. Each coin carries a face value of twenty-five cents as official United States legal tender, though its collector and silver content value has long since exceeded that nominal denomination.

History and Background

Congress authorized a special coinage program in 1973 to commemorate America's bicentennial, directing the United States Mint to redesign the quarter, half dollar, and dollar for one year with a special dual date of 1776-1976. The designs were selected through a national competition that drew hundreds of entries, with the winning submissions eventually becoming some of the most widely recognized commemorative imagery in U.S. coinage history. The program ran from 1975 through 1976, meaning coins dated 1776-1976 were produced during both calendar years.

To satisfy collector demand and distinguish a premium offering from the mass-produced circulation strikes, the Mint produced a separate series of 40% silver versions available only in uncirculated and proof collector sets. These silver coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and were packaged specifically for the collector market, never entering general circulation. The program represented one of the last times the United States Mint used silver in a regularly produced coin intended for broad collector distribution at that scale.

Design and Aesthetics

The obverse retains John Flanagan's classic portrait of George Washington, which has appeared on the quarter since 1932. The dual date "1776-1976" replaces the single-year date format used on standard quarters, and the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," and the Mint mark appear in their traditional positions. The design is clean and familiar, carrying the same dignified composition that has defined the Washington quarter across generations.

The reverse features a colonial drummer boy rendered by Jack L. Ahr, one of the three artists whose designs were selected in the national competition. The drummer is depicted in a dynamic pose, surrounded by a torch encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "QUARTER DOLLAR," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" completing the composition. The imagery was deliberately chosen to evoke the spirit of the Revolutionary War era and remains one of the more artistically distinctive reverse designs in modern U.S. coinage.

Proof examples exhibit sharp, frosted devices set against mirror-like fields, while Brilliant Uncirculated coins display a satin-like finish with crisp detail and no signs of wear. Both finishes reflect the precision striking standards of the San Francisco Mint's collector production process.

Fractional Size and Accessibility

At 0.0737 troy ounces of silver, the Bicentennial Quarter represents a genuinely small fractional silver holding, though its appeal in the collector market extends well beyond its metal content. The coin's quarter-dollar format makes it compact and easy to handle, store, and display alongside other U.S. commemorative pieces from the same era. For collectors building sets or assembling complete bicentennial collections across all three denominations, the quarter is an approachable and cost-effective entry point.

The low individual price point also makes it practical for buyers who want to acquire multiple examples without a significant outlay per coin, whether building a matched pair of BU and Proof versions or assembling a broader collection of silver commemoratives from the 1970s.

Authenticity and Product Integrity

Every Bicentennial Quarter we offer was struck by the United States Mint, which subjects its collector coin production to strict weight, diameter, and composition tolerances. The 40% silver composition is a defined government standard, and coins produced under this specification carry the institutional authority of the U.S. Mint behind their stated silver content. As an authorized dealer for both PCGS and NGC, we are positioned to assist customers with coins that have been professionally graded or who are interested in third-party certification for their existing holdings.

Each coin we handle is verified for authenticity before fulfillment. The combination of U.S. Mint production standards and our internal verification process gives buyers a reliable basis for confidence in what they receive.

Condition and Packaging

Brilliant Uncirculated coins show no wear and exhibit full mint luster, though they may display minor contact marks or bag marks consistent with handling during the original packaging process. Proof coins are struck multiple times using specially prepared dies and planchets, producing the sharp contrast between frosted devices and reflective fields that defines the proof finish. Both designations reflect collector-grade quality that distinguishes these silver strikes from their circulated copper-nickel counterparts.

Individual coins are shipped in protective plastic flips to preserve their surfaces during transit. Larger quantities ship in tubes or sealed packaging consistent with standard collector coin handling practices. Because these coins were originally issued in Mint-packaged sets and have since moved through the secondary market, the coins we carry are in raw form rather than sealed in original Mint packaging, though their condition grades remain consistent with the BU or Proof designations listed.

Pricing and Market Factors

Pricing for the 40% silver Bicentennial Quarter reflects both the underlying silver spot price and the premium associated with its numismatic and collector market demand. Because the silver content per coin is modest at 0.0737 troy ounces, the premium component tends to represent a meaningful portion of the total price, driven by collector interest, historical significance, and the limited production run of the silver version relative to the circulation strikes.

Our pricing adjusts in real time with spot price movements, ensuring that the metal content portion of the price reflects current market conditions rather than a fixed or stale reference price. The collector premium layer is influenced by availability, condition, and demand trends within the numismatic market for bicentennial material specifically.

Selling and Liquidity

The 40% silver Bicentennial Quarter is one of the better-known silver issues in the U.S. collector coin market and trades actively among numismatists, silver collectors, and general bullion buyers familiar with the bicentennial series. Its identity as a government-issued coin with a clearly defined silver content makes it straightforward to price and trade across most resale environments. Dealers, coin shows, online platforms, and auction houses regularly handle these coins, keeping liquidity reasonably consistent compared to more obscure collector issues.

We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. When the time comes to sell, our competitive buyback pricing is designed to give customers a transparent and efficient exit, with liquidity treated as a feature of the relationship rather than an afterthought.

Why Buy the 40% Silver 1776-1976 Bicentennial Quarter?

The 40% silver Bicentennial Quarter occupies a distinct position in American numismatics as both a piece of documented U.S. history and a modest silver holding with genuine collector demand. Its government-issued origin, defined silver content, and historical context tied to the nation's 200th anniversary give it a character that generic silver rounds simply cannot replicate. For collectors focused on U.S. commemorative coinage from the 20th century, this coin is a foundational piece in the bicentennial series.

The availability in both BU and Proof condition allows buyers to select the finish that fits their collection standards or display preferences. Because the coin was never circulated, both versions retain the visual integrity that collectors expect from silver Mint issues, making them practical to purchase, display, and hold over time.

Why Buy from Bullion Standard?

We have built our reputation since 2010 around transparency, fair pricing, and a customer experience that treats buyers as informed participants rather than targets for high-pressure sales tactics. Our A rating with the Better Business Bureau, membership in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and authorized dealer status with PCGS and NGC reflect the professional standards we hold ourselves to across every transaction. These credentials are not incidental; they reflect our commitment to operating with accountability within the numismatic and precious metals industry.

Our two-way market model means we stand behind the products we sell by offering competitive buyback pricing when customers are ready to sell. Every product we ship has been verified for authenticity, and our pricing is structured around real-time market conditions rather than inflated retail markups. Our customer support team brings genuine product knowledge to the conversation, and our fulfillment process is built around reliability and security from the moment an order is placed.

Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro

Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across a broad range of precious metals products, including collector silver coins like the Bicentennial Quarter. Rather than working with indicative or static retail prices, Pro members transact at real-time wholesale market prices that reflect actual supply and demand conditions without the additional markups common in traditional dealer models. For a coin like this, where the premium structure is influenced by both collector demand and silver content, having direct visibility into wholesale pricing allows buyers to evaluate whether current market conditions represent fair value.

Pro also includes real-time portfolio valuation based on live wholesale bid pricing, proprietary market intelligence tools, and product research capabilities that allow members to compare premiums, bid/ask spreads, and liquidity metrics across the catalog. For collectors and buyers who want to understand how a product like the 40% silver Bicentennial Quarter is priced relative to comparable silver issues, these tools provide a data-driven foundation for making more informed decisions on both the buy and sell side.

Flexible and Secure Payment Options

We support a comprehensive range of payment methods to make the purchasing process as convenient and secure as possible. Customers can pay using major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, and cryptocurrency via BitPay. Each payment method is integrated with secure transaction processing designed to protect buyer information and ensure reliable order confirmation.

Whether you prefer the simplicity of a credit card transaction or the efficiency of a wire transfer for larger purchases, our checkout process is built to accommodate a wide range of buying preferences without sacrificing security or ease of use.

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