In the realm of coin collecting, the hunt for rare treasures is often exhilarating. Every now and then, a story emerges that captures the imagination of both numismatists and the general public alike. Such is the case with the recent revelation of a rare bicentennial quarter worth nearly $50 million. But what makes this particular coin so valuable, and how does it compare to the other rarities still circulating?
In 1976, the United States Mint commemorated the nation’s bicentennial with a special series of coins. Among them was the Washington Quarter, featuring a unique design on the reverse side, depicting a colonial drummer boy. While millions of these quarters were minted, there were a few anomalies that make them exceptionally rare and valuable.
The quarter in question, known as the “Bicentennial Drummer Boy Quarter,” is distinguished by several key characteristics. First and foremost, it bears the distinct absence of a mint mark, indicating that it was minted in Philadelphia. This omission is crucial, as most quarters produced that year were struck in Denver or San Francisco and carry the respective mint marks “D” or “S.”