In the small town of Amesbury, Massachusetts, a surprising discovery shocked coin collectors. Amanda Reilly, 39, was cleaning out her late grandfather’s things. Among old photos and postcards, she found a small coin envelope inside his sock drawer.
Inside that envelope was a 1976 Bicentennial quarter. At first, it looked like a normal coin. But soon, it turned out to be something very special.
A Rare and Valuable Coin
The quarter Amanda found was not just old. It was one of the rarest coins ever made. It was a 1976-S Bicentennial quarter made of 40% silver. It also had a double die obverse and a minting error.
The coin was sent to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Experts there gave it a grade of MS-68, which is almost perfect. That grade made the coin even more valuable.
What Makes This Coin So Special?
Bicentennial quarters were made in 1976 to celebrate 200 years of American independence. Most of these coins were common. But Amanda’s coin had several rare features:
| Feature | Description |
| Metal | 40% silver (most are copper-nickel) |
| Error | Double die obverse (the date and “LIBERTY” are doubled) |
| Strike | Off-center strike adds uniqueness |
| Condition | Graded MS-68, which is near perfect |
All of these features together made the coin worth $2.1 million.
A Piece of History
The Bicentennial quarter has a special design. The back of the coin shows a Colonial drummer and a torch. The design was created by artist Jack L. Ahr.
Millions of these coins were made, but most were ordinary. Only a few, like Amanda’s, had these rare errors and silver content.
From Sock Drawer to Auction
After PCGS confirmed the coin’s value, Amanda sent it to Heritage Auctions. There, collectors and museums fought to buy it. It finally sold for $2.1 million.
This was the highest amount ever paid for a Bicentennial quarter.
Amanda’s Surprise
Amanda was shocked by the discovery. She said, “I still can’t believe it. It was just sitting there in a sock drawer. Grandpa always said he had some ‘interesting’ coins, but we never imagined this.”
Her story has inspired many people to check their old coins.
What This Teaches Us
This amazing find shows that rare treasures can be hidden in plain sight. Many people throw away old coins without checking them. Coin experts say to be careful before getting rid of inherited coins.
Here are some tips:
- Check for rare dates, mint marks, or errors.
- Use a magnifying glass to spot doubling or design changes.
- Don’t clean the coin. That can lower its value.
- Send rare-looking coins to grading services like PCGS or NGC.
Why Silver Coins Matter
Most modern quarters are made of copper and nickel. But some Bicentennial quarters, like Amanda’s, were made in 40% silver. These were special versions made by the San Francisco Mint.
Silver coins are more valuable to collectors. They are also harder to find today.
How Errors Increase Value
Error coins are coins with mistakes from the mint. Amanda’s coin had a double die obverse, where the words and numbers look doubled. It was also struck slightly off-center.
These kinds of mistakes are rare. That’s why collectors are willing to pay a lot for them.
Conclusion
Amanda’s story shows that valuable coins can be hiding anywhere—even in an old sock drawer. Her 1976 silver Bicentennial quarter turned out to be a one-in-a-million find.
If you’re cleaning out old boxes or helping family with estate items, take a moment to check the coins. You might find a hidden treasure too.
FAQs
What is a Bicentennial quarter?
It’s a U.S. quarter made in 1976 to mark 200 years of independence.
Why was Amanda’s coin worth $2.1 million?
It was rare, made of silver, had errors, and was in great condition.
What does MS-68 mean?
It’s a near-perfect coin grade given by experts.
Where was Amanda’s coin found?
In her grandfather’s sock drawer in Massachusetts.
Should I check old coins at home?
Yes, some might be rare and valuable.
