Rare $100k Bicentennial Quarter With Off-center Strike Discovered In Georgia – Still Circulating

A Rare Minting Error Turns Heads

In a surprising twist for both coin collectors and everyday spenders, a Bicentennial Quarter with a rare off-center strike has recently been discovered in circulation in Georgia. This coin, originally minted to celebrate America’s 200th year of independence in 1976, has sparked renewed interest in finding hidden treasures in pocket change that could be worth much more than their face value.

Bicentennial Quarter With Off-Center

As reported by local coin enthusiasts and spreading across social media, an off-center Bicentennial Quarter was found by a shopper in Macon, Georgia. The coin, which still features the dual-date “1776–1976” and the well-known image of a colonial drummer, shows a striking misalignment from its standard minting.

Off-center strikes happen when a blank planchet is not properly positioned in the coining press, resulting in a coin with an incomplete or skewed design. In rare instances like this one, such errors can boost a coin’s value from 25 cents to hundreds — even thousands — of dollars, depending on the error’s severity and market demand.

Still Circulating After Nearly 50 Years

What makes this discovery even more fascinating is that the coin is reportedly still in circulation. The person who found it has not yet decided to sell but is instead keeping the quarter for further authentication. Some online collectors estimate that, depending on the error’s extent and the coin’s condition, it could fetch over $100,000 at auction.

This find serves as a reminder to everyday people that valuable coins aren’t always stashed away in safes or coin shops — they can still be found in everyday places like loose change, parking meters, and cash registers.

Why the Bicentennial Quarter Matters

The 1976 Bicentennial Quarter is one of the most recognizable U.S. coins. It commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and instead of the usual eagle on the reverse, it featured a colonial drummer and a torch of victory.

Although hundreds of millions of Bicentennial Quarters were minted, which typically keeps their value low, errors like this off-center strike are uncommon — making them highly sought after by collectors who specialize in “error coins.”

Growing Interest in Coin Collecting

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in numismatics, or the study and collection of coins. Events like the discovery of the Georgia quarter have only fueled this trend, as people begin to examine the coins in their pockets more carefully.

Experts advise that if someone thinks they’ve found an error coin, they should avoid cleaning it (as it can decrease its value) and consider having it graded by a professional coin grading service. This can provide an official evaluation of its condition and potential worth.

Also, read:

• $4.6M Jefferson Nickel Found in Coffee Shop Tip Jar
• Lost Liberty Head Nickel Found in Sock Drawer

A Reminder to Keep Looking

Although rare, stories like this one serve as a reminder that small fortunes can be hiding in plain sight. Coins that were once dismissed or considered ordinary are now selling for impressive sums, especially if they feature errors, limited mintage, or significant historical value.

For now, the Georgia Bicentennial Quarter continues to make waves among collectors. Whether it ends up in a private collection, sold at auction, or back in circulation, one thing is certain: sometimes, a quarter is worth far more than just 25 cents.

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