Bicentennial Coins 1976

About This Series

America's 200th birthday produced one of the most distinctive circulating coinage sets, with special reverse designs on the quarter, half dollar, and dollar dual-dated 1776-1976. Jack L. Ahr's Colonial drummer boy quarter was produced in quantities exceeding 1.6 billion. Seth Huntington's Independence Hall graced the half dollar, while Dennis R. Williams' Liberty Bell-and-Moon dollar symbolized space-age achievements alongside Revolutionary heritage. No 1975-dated coins were produced for these three denominations, as bicentennial production began in 1975 to build inventory. Both copper-nickel clad circulation versions and 40% silver collector versions were struck, with silver issues at San Francisco in proof and uncirculated finishes sold in three-coin sets. Die varieties include Type I and Type II Eisenhower dollar reverses distinguished by lettering width. The bicentennial silver sets remain among the most widely distributed Mint collector products ever issued, representing the most comprehensive design change to circulating coinage for a single national celebration.