Why Are There No 1975 Quarters?
As a new coin collector, you might be surprised how difficult it is to find a 1975 quarter. You have searched far and wide. You went to antique shops, the Internet, and pocket changes. Yet, you still can’t find any 1975 quarters.
Then, someone told you, “You can’t find 1975 quarters no matter how hard you try.”
Now, you might be asking, “Why?”
The 1975 quarters don’t exist because they weren’t produced by the United States Mint. Instead, the producers strike the Washington quarter with a dual date of 1776-1976.
The production of the 1776-1976 quarter coins started in July 1975. So, you might wonder, if they started in the middle of 1975 to produce commemorative coins, why didn’t they simply create 1975 quarter coins during the first half of the year?
That’s a good question that needs to be answered.
A quarter coin with a specific date would normally be struck for the whole year. So, from January to December, the US Mint produces the same quarter coin with the same inscribed date. This is done to make sure that there is plenty of the same coin that goes into circulation.
Now, what do you think would happen if a 1975 quarter coin is only produced for six months? This would lead to the 1975 quarter coin being rarer than other coins because its production period is only half a year.
As a result, the US Mint and other people have a legitimate concern that there will be perceived scarcity of the 1975 quarter coins, and many collectors would hoard this coin and eventually remove the entire 1975 quarter coins out of circulation.
Back in 1975, there was also a problem with the decreasing number of quarter coins. So, hoarding of the 1975 coins would worsen the problem.
The US Mint officials then ask Congress to amend the law and allow them to continue producing 1974 coins up until the Bicentennial coin production would commence in July 1975.
What Coins Were Minted In 1975?
Going back in time, the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776. The year 1976 would mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
photo source: USA Coin Book
In 1973, Congress already approved the production of the United States Bicentennial coins. The approval gave way to the U.S. Mint to create coins that have the year 1776-1976. Thus, you will find not just quarters, but also half dollars and dollar coins with two dates.
There are different varieties of the 1776-1976 quarter coin based on their mint marks. These are the following:
- 1776-1976 quarter with no mint mark
- 1776-1976 D quarter
- 1776-1976 S proof quarter
- 1776-1976 S silver quarter
- 1776-1976 S silver proof quarter
There were almost 1.7 billion commemorative 1776-1976 quarter coins produced. Here’s a breakdown based on where they are minted:
| Coin Series | Location | Quantity produced |
| 1776-1976 D | Denver | 860,118,839 |
| 1776-1976 | Philadelphia | 809,784,016 |
| 1776-1976 S Silver | San Francisco | 11,000,000 |
| 1776-1976 S Proof | San Francisco | 7,059,099 |
| 1776-1976 S Silver Proof | San Francisco | 4,000,000 |
Here’s a quick look at the specifications of the commemorative 1776-1976 quarter coin:
- Type: commemorative coin
- Year: 1976
- Face value: $0.25
- Composition: Copper and nickel
- Diameter: 24.3 mm
- Thickness: 1.75 mm
- Weight: 5.67 grams
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Reeded (119 reeds)
The obverse side of the commemorative quarter coin features the portrait of George Washington, which is facing to the left side. Here are the inscriptions you’ll find:
- Liberty (top)
- IN GOD WE TRUST (left side)
- 1776-1976 (bottom)
- JF (the initials of John Flanagan, who designed the portrait of Washington)
- Mint Mark
On the reverse side, you’ll find the Colonial patriot drummer, which is also facing left. There’s also the torch that represents victory. Around the torch include the thirteen stars with the US motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
You’ll also find the “UNITED STATES of AMERICA” arched atop the coin. The “QUARTER DOLLAR” is also inscribed below. You’ll also see the JLA initials, which means Jack L. Ahr, the engraver of the reverse side.
How Much Are 1776-1976 Quarters Worth Today?
The value of the 1776-1976 Quarters is $0.25. If you’re planning to sell a common 1776-1976 Quarters, you might just be able to sell them at their face value.
Moreover, there are those coins that can sell more but only slightly. For example, a 1776-1976 quarter with no mint mark and wasn’t part of the circulation could earn you $1.25. MS 63 grade 1776-1976 quarters can have the same price. If your coin is MS 65 grade, then you may be able to sell it at around $6.
Nevertheless, you might be happy to know that silver-clad quarters are more valuable than their copper-nickel counterparts. Since silver is more valuable than copper or nickel, then you are looking at a more expensive coin.
Just to give you an example, the S silver quarter can be sold at $7 if it is MS 65 grade. MS 63 graded silver quarter coins can be sold for around $5.
How Does The Grading System Work?
The Sheldon Scale is used by numismatists to provide a numerical value to coins. The Sheldon Scale goes from poor (P-1) to perfect mint state (P-1) (MS-70). Coins were originally evaluated using words to reflect their condition (Good, Fair, Excellent, Etc.). Unfortunately, coin collectors and dealers had different ideas about what each of these terms represent.
Professional numismatists joined together in the 1970s and established CoinGrading standards. These numismatists now assign grades at key places on the seventy-point scale, using the most regularly utilized numeric points in conjunction with the original adjective grade. The following are the most common coin grades:
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- (P-1) Poor – Indistinguishable and probably damaged; if used, must have a date and mintmark; otherwise, rather battered.
- (FR-2) Fair – Nearly smooth, but without the damage that a coin graded Poor often possesses. The coin must have enough detail to be identified.
- (G-4) Fair – Inscriptions have merged into the rims in some areas, and important elements have been mostly erased.
- (VG-8) Very Good- A little weathered, but all of the primary design elements are visible, albeit faintly. There is little if any, central detail left.
- (F-12) Good – The item is very worn, yet the wear is even, and the overall design details stand out clearly. Rims are almost completely isolated from the field.
- (VF-20) Very Fine – Moderately weathered, with some finer features still visible. The motto or all letters of LIBERTY are readable. Both sides of the coin have entire rims that are separated from the field.
- (EF-40) Extremely Fine – Gently used; all gadgets are visible, and the most important ones are bold. The finer details are bold and clear, however, light wear may be seen.
- (AU-50) Uncirculated – Slight evidence of wear on the coin’s design’s high points; may have contact marks; eye appeal should be adequate.
- (AU-58) Uncirculated Choice – Slight traces of wear, no severe contact marks, almost full mint shine, and great eye appeal.
- (MS-60) Mint State Basal – Strictly uncirculated; no indication of wear on the coin’s highest points, but an unsightly coin with reduced luster, visible contact marks, hairlines, and other flaws.
- (MS-63) Mint State Acceptable – Uncirculated, but with contact scratches and nicks, little reduced shine, but otherwise appealing appearance. The strike is weak to average.
- (MS-65) Mint State Choice – Uncirculated with great mint shine, very little contact blemishes, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is unusually severe.
- (MS-68) Mint State Premium Quality – Uncirculated with superb luster, no obvious contact marks to the naked eye, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is quick and appealing.
- (MS-69) Almost Perfect Mint State – Uncirculated with perfect brilliance, a sharp and appealing strike, and extremely good eye appeal. A near-perfect coin with minor imperfections in the planchet, strike, and contact markings (seen only under 8x magnification).
- (MS-70) Mint State Perfect – Under 8x magnification, there are no tiny imperfections discernible; the strike is crisp, and the coin is perfectly centered on a beautiful planchet. Rarely seen on a coin, this coin is bright and whole, with original luster and exceptional eye appeal.
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Where To Buy Or Sell 1975 Washington Quarter?
Coin shops and antique shops are the most popular types of stores in which customers can buy or sell coins. You can also participate in auctions, which feature sales of the finest and most valuable coins available.
You can also resort to online selling platforms if you want an alternative to specialized websites. These online marketplaces include Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. The Internet is by far the most convenient platform on which to purchase, sell, or trade a 1975 Washington quarter in this hyperconnected world. There are hundreds of websites online that specialized in buying and selling different types of coins.
FAQs
Is a 1975 Canadian quarter made of silver?
No, the 1975 Canadian quarter isn’t made of silver. It is 99.9% nickel. Any quarter made from 1968 onwards is made of nickel or other metals. The Canadian Mint stopped producing silver quarter coins in 1968.
How many Bicentennial quarters were made?
There were 1,691,961,954 bicentennial quarters made through Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.
How rare is a 1975 quarter?
The 1975 quarter is not just rare, but they don’t exist. Due to the commemoration of the 200th Independence Day, 1975 quarters were not created. Instead, for the first half of the year 1975, 1974 quarter coins were made. The US Mint then produced the commemorative 1776-1976 quarter coins.
