Breaking Coin News!
A 1976 Bicentennial Quarter just shocked the collecting world — selling for an unbelievable $500,000 at a Los Angeles auction. This one-of-a-kind mint error has officially become one of the most valuable modern U.S. quarters ever sold!
At CoinVerse, we dug into the full story behind this half-million-dollar mistake — and how you can tell if your Bicentennial quarter might be worth a small fortune too. 
Why This Quarter Hit $500,000
“Double Drummer” Mint Error 
This coin’s magic lies in a rare double strike with die misalignment, producing a ghosted second image of the famous drummer boy.
Key Details:
- Struck twice with a 30° rotation between strikes
- Creates a surreal “double drummer” effect on the reverse
- Certified by PCGS as the only known example in this grade
- Visually dramatic and instantly recognizable — a museum-worthy mistake
Result: A jaw-dropping visual error unlike anything else from the Bicentennial series.
Record-Breaking Auction Results
Auction House: Legend Numismatics (Los Angeles)
Date: January 2025
Final Sale Price: $500,000
Previous Record: $125,000 (1976-S Silver Proof, 2023)
This auction shattered the previous record — making it the highest-priced Bicentennial quarter ever sold!
How This Rare Error Happened
A mechanical mishap at the Philadelphia Mint caused the coin to:
- Stick to the die after the first strike
- Rotate slightly
- Get struck again — creating the famous double image
What began as a minting accident turned into a six-figure collector’s dream.
How to Spot a Valuable 1976 Error Quarter
If you have Bicentennial quarters at home, look closely! 
Key Features to Check:
- Double drummer boy on the reverse side
- 30° rotated strike — the second image is clearly offset
- Raised flow lines from excessive striking pressure
- Correct date: 1776–1976
If your coin matches these signs — you could be looking at a major rarity.
Found One? Here’s What To Do
Don’t Clean It! Cleaning can erase details and drop the value by $100,000 or more.
Use Archival Holders (no PVC plastic).
Get Certified by PCGS or NGC for authentication.
Contact Reputable Auction Houses such as Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers.
Why Values Keep Rising
Collector demand for modern mint errors has surged 600% since 2020.
Ultra-rare pieces are being treated as investment-grade assets.
Even museums and private institutions are now bidding on standout “one-off” errors like this.
Final Tip: Always Check Your Change!
That ordinary-looking Bicentennial quarter sitting in your drawer might be worth more than a car — or even a house! 
Take a few minutes to inspect your 1776–1976 quarters… you never know what treasure you’ll uncover.
Fast Facts Recap
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Error Type | Double strike with 30° rotation |
| Certified By | PCGS |
| Auction Price | $500,000 |
| Auction House | Legend Numismatics, Los Angeles |
| Date Sold | January 2025 |
