People of a particular generation may recall the year-long bicentennial celebration in 1976, when the United States celebrated its 200th birthday and the country was practically drowning in bicentennial trinkets, collectibles, souvenirs, and other items to spend money on.
The United States Mint also issued a set of bicentennial quarters to celebrate the occasion, and many of them are now worth a fortune as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
Between 1975 and 1976, the Mint issued a special batch of bicentennial coins. They were significant for being the first US quarters in more than 50 years to sport a unique reverse design.
The most costly of those coins, a 1976-S Bicentennial Silver Quarter in very high grade, sold for $19,200 at an auction a few years ago,
according to the Chronicle Collectibles website. But that isn't the only bicentennial quarter that commands a high price. Many others have as well.
The majority of these coins were "clad," which means they were constructed of various metals such as nickel, copper, and zinc laid together like a sandwich, according to the US Mint.
However, as Chronicle Collectibles pointed out, some of the bicentennial quarters had 40% silver, which is significant because silver coins are rarer and thus significantly more expensive.
The coin's condition also influences its worth, with flawless coins demanding the greatest rates.The bicentennial quarters were produced in three distinct mints: