Type 3, Bicentennial

Designed by: John Flanagan (obverse); Jack L. Ahr (reverse)
Issue Date: 1976
Composition: Pure copper core to which a copper nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) is bonded (clad)Layers of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to core of 20.9% silver, 79.1% copper (silver clad)
Diameter: 24.3 mm
Weight: 5.67 grams (87.50 grains, clad), 5.75 grams (88.73 grains, silver clad)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 1,669,902,855 (clad), 11,000,000 (silver clad)
Proof Mintage: 7,059,099 (clad), 4,000,000 (silver clad)

1776–1976 Bicentennial Washington Quarter – Drummer Boy Reverse | Type Collector Favorite

In celebration of the United States Bicentennial, the U.S. Treasury Department launched a national competition to redesign the reverse of the quarter, half dollar, and dollar denominations. The winning quarter design by Jack L. Ahrfeatures a Revolutionary War–era drummer at center, a torch encircled by 13 stars to the upper left, and the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM beneath it. Around the border are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR. The obverse retained John Flanagan’s portrait of George Washington, originally introduced in 1932, but uniquely paired here with a dual-date: 1776–1976—the only instance of a double-dated obverse on a circulating U.S. coin.

This one-year-only type was struck in large numbers for circulation at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. In addition, the San Francisco Mint produced Proof and 40% silver collector versions, making this a widely accessible issue for both new collectors and advanced numismatists.

Key Features:

One-year commemorative design issued for the U.S. Bicentennial.
Dual-dated 1776–1976 obverse – a first in U.S. circulating coinage.
Reverse features the iconic “Drummer Boy” design by Jack L. Ahr.
Struck in copper-nickel clad for general circulation.
Proof and 40% silver versions were struck at the San Francisco Mint.
Over 11 million 40% silver Uncirculated coins and 4 million silver Proofs were made.

Today, 1776–1976 Bicentennial quarters are widely available in circulated, Uncirculated, and Proof condition. However, high-grade certified examples in MS67 or PR69DCAM and above—especially in the 40% silver versions—command a premium due to collector demand and condition rarity.

Whether you’re building a modern type set, commemorating American heritage, or simply adding a nostalgic 1970s favorite to your collection, the Bicentennial quarter stands out as one of the most iconic and enduring U.S. commemoratives ever struck.

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