As a coin collector, especially if you’re just starting out, you might be surprised by how difficult it is to find a 1975 quarter. You’ve probably searched online, visited antique shops, and looked through pocket change. But no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to find a quarter from 1975.
Then, someone tells you, “You won’t find a 1975 quarter because it doesn’t exist!” You might think, “Wait, how can that be? I’ve seen quarters from every other year, so why not 1975?”
Well, here’s the simple answer: the United States Mint didn’t produce any quarters dated 1975. Instead, they made a special bicentennial quarter to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary, which had the dual date 1776-1976.
This means that, technically, there are no 1975 quarters in circulation, as the Mint focused on creating this commemorative coin instead.
Mercury Dimes Jackpot: 14 Coins That Could Turn Your Spare Change Into $364,000!
Why Didn’t They Make 1975 Quarters?
Now, you might be wondering: If the bicentennial quarter production started in July of 1975, why didn’t they produce regular 1975 quarters in the first half of the year?
Normally, the U.S. Mint would strike a quarter with the same date throughout the entire year. For example, in 1974, they produced quarters marked “1974” from January to December.
This is how the Mint ensures that there are enough coins in circulation. However, if they had produced 1975 quarters for only half the year, those coins would have been much rarer compared to other years.
This rarity would have created a situation where coin collectors might hoard 1975 quarters, causing them to be pulled from circulation. And back in 1975, there was already a shortage of quarters, so the U.S. Mint was worried that hoarding would make things worse.
To solve this problem, the U.S. Mint asked Congress for permission to keep producing 1974 quarters until July of 1975, when they would switch to the bicentennial quarters. Congress approved the change, and that’s why there are no quarters with the date “1975.”
What Coins Were Minted in 1975?
Even though there were no quarters made with the date “1975,” that doesn’t mean the U.S. Mint stopped producing coins altogether. They actually began creating the special bicentennial coins. These coins were made to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the United States, which was founded on July 4, 1776.
Congress approved the production of these commemorative coins back in 1973, giving the U.S. Mint plenty of time to prepare. These special coins featured the dual date “1776-1976” and were available in three denominations: quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins.
There are several varieties of the 1776-1976 bicentennial quarter, based on where they were minted and the materials used. Here’s a breakdown:
- 1776-1976 quarter with no mint mark: Produced at the Philadelphia Mint.
- 1776-1976 D quarter: Minted in Denver.
- 1776-1976 S proof quarter: Struck at the San Francisco Mint as a special proof coin.
- 1776-1976 S silver quarter: A silver version minted in San Francisco.
- 1776-1976 S silver proof quarter: Another silver proof version, also minted in San Francisco.
Nearly 1.7 billion bicentennial quarters were produced! Here’s how many were made at each location:
| Coin Series | Location | Quantity Produced |
|---|---|---|
| 1776-1976 D | Denver | 860,118,839 |
| 1776-1976 | Philadelphia | 809,784,016 |
| 1776-1976 S | San Francisco | 11,000,000 (silver) |
| 1776-1976 S | San Francisco | 7,059,099 (proof) |
| 1776-1976 S | San Francisco | 4,000,000 (silver proof) |
What Makes the Bicentennial Quarter Special?
Let’s dive into the details of the 1776-1976 bicentennial quarter. On the front (obverse) side, it still features the familiar portrait of George Washington, facing left. The inscriptions include:
- LIBERTY (at the top)
- IN GOD WE TRUST (on the left side)
- The dates 1776-1976 (at the bottom)
- The initials JF, representing John Flanagan, the designer of Washington’s portrait
The reverse side is where things get interesting. It features a colonial patriot drummer facing left, along with a torch symbolizing victory. Surrounding the torch are 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies, along with the U.S. motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (“Out of many, one”).
The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” appear at the top of the coin, while “QUARTER DOLLAR” is inscribed at the bottom. The initials JLA, which stand for Jack L. Ahr (the designer of the reverse side), are also visible.
How Much Are 1776-1976 Quarters Worth Today?
If you have a 1776-1976 quarter in your collection, you might wonder how much it’s worth today. In most cases, these coins are still worth their face value of 25 cents. However, if your coin is in mint condition, it might be worth a bit more.
For example:
- A common 1776-1976 quarter with no mint mark that hasn’t been circulated could sell for around $1.25.
- An MS 63 grade coin (which means it’s in pretty good condition) could also fetch around $1.25.
- If your coin is graded MS 65 (an even higher quality), it could sell for about $6.
Silver bicentennial quarters are a bit more valuable because silver is worth more than copper or nickel. For instance:
- An MS 63 graded silver quarter could sell for around $5.
- An MS 65 silver quarter might go for around $7.
How Are Coins Graded?
Coins are graded using the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70). Coins in perfect mint condition, graded MS-70, are incredibly rare and valuable. Here are some common grades:
- P-1 (Poor): The coin is barely recognizable and may be damaged.
- G-4 (Good): The design is heavily worn but still visible.
- VF-20 (Very Fine): The coin shows moderate wear, but most details are still clear.
- AU-50 (Almost Uncirculated): Only slight wear is visible on the coin’s highest points.
- MS-65 (Mint State Choice): The coin is uncirculated, with excellent shine and very few contact marks.
These 4 Rare Coins Could Make You Rich in 2024 — Don’t Miss Out on a Retirement Boost!
Where Can You Buy or Sell a 1975 Quarter?
Even though 1975 quarters don’t exist, you can still buy or sell other rare and valuable coins. Coin shops and antique stores are great places to start.
You can also attend coin auctions, where some of the most valuable coins are sold. If you prefer online shopping, platforms like eBay, Etsy, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace offer a wide range of coins, including bicentennial quarters.
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.