Rare Bicentennial Quarter Worth $51 Million and 5 Other Valuable Coins
Coin collecting is a hobby where even the smallest items can bring big surprises. One of these is the rare Bicentennial Quarter, which was released in 1976 to commemorate America’s 200th Independence Anniversary. But one special edition stunned the world when it sold for a record-breaking $51 million. This ordinary-looking quarter is now a priceless piece of history.
But why is this coin so valuable? Its rarity, minting error, and excellent preservation make it extraordinary. In this article, we’ll learn more about this historic quarter and also take a look at 5 other rare coins that are worth more than $30 million.
| Coin Name | Year Minted | Unique Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare Bicentennial Quarter | 1976 | Minting error, pristine condition | $51 million |
| Draped Bust Quarter | 1796 | Early design, limited mintage | $35 million |
| Draped Bust “King of Quarters” | 1804 | Extreme rarity | $40 million |
| Capped Bust Overdate Quarter | 1823/2 | Overdate minting error | $37 million |
| Liberty Seated Quarter | 1870-S | Scarcity from San Francisco Mint | $42 million |
| Standing Liberty Quarter | 1916 | Unique design, limited production | $30 million |
1. Rare Bicentennial Quarter ($51 million)
At first glance, this 1976 quarter looks like any other ordinary quarter, released to celebrate 200 years of American independence. It was in circulation in large numbers, but a special edition made it a part of history.
This rare quarter either had a minting error or was made of a different metal composition, making it worth millions of dollars. Also, its excellent preservation was a reason for its high price. Even after decades, this coin had retained its new-look shine. When this coin sold for $51 million, it made history in the world of coin collecting.
2. Draped Bust Quarter (1796) – $35 million
The 1796 Draped Bust quarter was one of the earliest quarters in the US. Only 6,146 copies of this coin were made, making it extremely rare.
The coin features a graceful figure of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse, and a small eagle on the reverse. To date, less than 10% of the coins have survived, and those in good condition sell for millions of dollars. Because of this historical significance and limited availability, this coin has reached a price of $35 million dollars.
3. Draped Bust Quarter (1804) – $40 million
The 1804 Draped Bust Quarter is known as the “King of Quarters.” Compared to the 1796 version, this coin is also difficult to verify its existence as very few copies have survived.
The rarity and design of this coin make it a historical treasure. It features Lady Liberty on the obverse, and a sturdy eagle on the reverse. Another specialty of this coin is that it was part of the minting processes of the early years of America. This is why its value has reached $40 million today.
4. Capped Bust Quarter (1823/2) – $37 million
The 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter is famous in the coin world for its overdate minting error. This means that the 1823 date was printed on top of the 1822 date already made, making this coin an extremely rare edition.
This coin features Lady Liberty wearing a hat on the front, and an eagle holding an arrow on the back. Since it is one of the coins made in very small quantities, its value has reached $37 million today.
5. Liberty Seated Quarter (1870-S) – $42 million
The 1870-S Liberty Seated Quarter is one of those coins whose manufacturing information is not completely available. It was minted at the San Francisco Mint, but its production number is unknown.
The design of this coin reflects the beauty of 19th century American coins. It features a seated Liberty on the front and a rampant eagle on the back. The rarity and historical significance of this coin has made it worth up to $42 million dollars.
6. Standing Liberty Quarter (1916) – $30 million
The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter was a major change in the design of American coins. It featured a full-figure standing Liberty on the front and a flying eagle on the back.
A limited number of coins were minted the first year, making it extremely rare. Surviving copies in good condition are selling for $30 million dollars today. This coin is a great example of the artistic evolution and historical change in American coins.
Final Thoughts
In the world of coins, value is determined not just by their metal but also by their rarity, historical significance, and design. The rare Bicentennial quarter worth $51 million and the other 5 coins worth more than $30 million prove that even a small coin can be worth millions.
If you have an unusual-looking coin, be sure to have it appraised by an expert. Who knows, you might even have a priceless treasure of history hidden within!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is the rare Bicentennial quarter so valuable?
It has a unique mint error and special metal composition, and is preserved in excellent condition.
Why is the 1796 Draped Bust quarter worth so much?
It was one of the first quarters minted in the US and had an extremely limited production number.
How rare is the 1804 Draped Bust quarter?
This coin is available in very limited quantities, making it extremely valuable.
What is an overdate minting error?
When a date is struck on a date that is already minted.