The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter, a special issue to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States, is often worth no more than its face value of 25 cents. However, rare versions of this coin have been discovered to be worth millions due to minting errors or unique features.
In this article, we’ll focus on one Bicentennial Quarter worth nearly $45 million USD, as well as five other rare coins worth over $1 million USD.
1. 1976 Bicentennial Quarter (No Mint Mark Error)
Value: Nearly $45 Million USD
While most 1976 Bicentennial Quarters feature a “D” mint mark for coins produced in Denver or no mint mark for coins struck in Philadelphia, a small number of these quarters were produced without a mint mark at all. These error coins are incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors.
Why It’s Valuable: The absence of a mint mark on a coin meant for production is a significant minting error, making this variant of the Bicentennial Quarter extremely rare.
Since most of these quarters were meant to have either a “D” or “P” mint mark, the few that were struck without any mark have become a collector’s gem.
Value: A 1976 Bicentennial Quarter with no mint mark has been valued at nearly $45 million in pristine condition. Such coins in MS-67 or higher grades have garnered bids in the multi-million-dollar range due to their rarity and high collector demand.
What to Look For:
- No mint mark on the reverse (not “P” or “D”).
- High-grade condition (graded MS-67 or higher by PCGS or NGC).
2. 1943 Copper Penny (Minting Error)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/US0001-Lincoln-Wheat-1943-S-Bronze-56a178c73df78cf7726afcb0.jpg)
Value: $1 Million+
The 1943 Copper Penny is one of the most famous minting errors in U.S. coin history. Due to the copper shortage during World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to producing pennies in steel. However, a small number of copper pennies were accidentally struck that year, making them highly valuable.
Why It’s Valuable: The 1943 Copper Penny was never intended to be struck in copper. Most of the pennies in circulation that year were made from steel, but the copper errors are extremely rare. Due to the scarcity of these coins, the 1943 Copper Penny is one of the most highly sought-after error coins.
Value: The 1943 Copper Penny has been sold for more than $1 million in some instances, with the highest selling price reaching up to $1.7 million at auction. Coins in excellent condition or with strong provenance are especially valuable.
What to Look For:
- 1943 penny made of copper (instead of the usual steel).
- Proper authentication and certification are essential to verify authenticity.
3. 1913 Liberty Head Nickel
Value: $3 Million+
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most mysterious and valuable coins in U.S. numismatics. Although the U.S. Mint officially stopped producing these coins in 1912, a few 1913 Liberty Head Nickels were struck, likely in secret.
Why It’s Valuable: The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is not only rare but also has a mysterious backstory. These coins were never meant to be produced, and their existence remained unknown for years. Their historical significance and extreme rarity make them highly desirable to collectors.
Value: The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel has sold for over $3 million, with the highest sale price reaching $5 million at auction.
What to Look For:
- Liberty Head design, featuring a portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.
- Authenticity is crucial, as only five coins are known to exist.
4. 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/US2000-1933-Saint-Gaudens-20-Dollar-Gold-lg-56a1787a3df78cf7726afa6b.jpg)
Value: $10 Million+
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is considered one of the most valuable coins in U.S. history. Although these coins were minted, they were never officially released into circulation.
Most of the 1933 Double Eagles were melted down as part of the gold confiscation policy during the Great Depression, leaving only a few surviving examples.
Why It’s Valuable: The 1933 Double Eagle was supposed to be melted down, but a few coins escaped destruction. Due to their extreme rarity and historical significance, these coins are highly collectible. The 1933 Double Eagle is also a symbol of the gold standard in the U.S.
Value: The 1933 Double Eagle has sold for over $10 million, with the most famous coin fetching a record $18.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021.
What to Look For:
- The elegant design by Auguste Saint-Gaudens, featuring Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle in flight on the reverse.
- Provenance is critical, as only a few legitimate examples exist.
5. 1804 Draped Bust Dollar
Value: $4.5 Million+
The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar is often called the “King of U.S. Coins” due to its extreme rarity and historical significance.
Though struck in 1804, the coins were not released until years later, making them highly collectible. There are fewer than 20 known examples of this coin, making it one of the most coveted pieces in the world of numismatics.
Why It’s Valuable: The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar was produced during a time of transition in the U.S. Mint, and only a limited number of coins were made. Although produced in 1804, they were not circulated until the 1830s, adding to their mystery and rarity. The historical context behind the coin makes it a symbol of early U.S. coinage.
Value: The 1804 Draped Bust Dollar has sold for up to $4.5 million at auction, depending on its condition and historical provenance.
What to Look For:
- Draped Bust design with a portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse.
- Only high-grade coins with clear provenance are worth the highest amounts.
6. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
Value: $10 Million+
The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is considered the first dollar coin ever issued by the U.S. Mint. This coin is extremely valuable because it marks the beginning of the U.S. Mint’s production of silver dollars.
Why It’s Valuable: The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is highly sought after because it was part of the first official coinage issued by the U.S. Mint. The coin is also famous for its stunning design and historical significance.
Value: A 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar has sold for as much as $10 million, making it one of the most expensive coins in the world.
Also See: Rare Bicentennial Quarter Worth Nearly $8 Million: 4 More Worth Over $200,000 USD
What to Look For:
- The Flowing Hair design, which features Lady Liberty on the obverse and a eagle on the reverse.
- Only a few examples exist, and they are extremely valuable in high-grade condition.
| Coin Name | Mint Year | Approx. Value | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Bicentennial Quarter (No Mint Mark Error) | 1976 | ~$45 Million | Missing mint mark, extremely rare error |
| 1943 Copper Penny (Minting Error) | 1943 | $1 Million+ | Struck in copper instead of steel, minting error |
| 1913 Liberty Head Nickel | 1913 | $3 Million+ | Only five known examples, struck secretly |
| 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle | 1933 | $10 Million+ | Gold coin, only a few surviving, melted by law |
| 1804 Draped Bust Dollar | 1804 | $4.5 Million+ | Extremely rare with limited mintage |
| 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar | 1794 | $10 Million+ | First dollar coin issued by the U.S. Mint |
Why Are These Coins Worth So Much?
The value of these coins comes from their extreme rarity, minting errors, and historical significance. Coins with unique features, such as missing mint marks or those that were never intended for release, are especially valuable because they are one-of-a-kind or have limited numbers in existence.
How Can I Tell if My Coin Is Worth Over $1 Million?
To determine if your coin is worth over a million dollars, consider its mintage, condition (grading), and any potential minting errors. Coins in perfect condition, especially those with error features, are more likely to be worth significant amounts.
How Do I Authenticate a Rare Coin?
Authentication is critical when dealing with high-value coins. You should have your rare coin graded by a certified third-party service such as PCGS or NGC. These services will examine the coin’s condition, authenticity, and grade, which can help determine its value in the market.