1976 Commemorative Washington Quarter

1976 Commemorative Washington Quarter.

This coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of the U.S.' independence in 1976 (also known as the American Bicentennial), a widely celebrated event.

As the United States prepared to celebrate the 1932 bicentennial of the birth of its first president, George Washington, members of the bicentennial committee established by Congress sought a Washington half dollar. They wanted to displace for that year only the regular issue Walking Liberty half dollar; instead Congress permanently replaced the Standing Liberty quarter, requiring that a depiction of Washington appear on the obverse of the new coin. The committee had engaged sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser to design a commemorative medal, and wanted her to adapt her design for the quarter. Although Fraser's work was supported by the Commission of Fine Arts and its chairman, Charles W. Moore, Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon chose a design by Flanagan, and Mellon's successor, Ogden L. Mills, refused to disturb the decision.

The new silver quarters entered circulation on August 1, 1932, and continued to be struck in silver until the Mint transitioned to copper-nickel clad coinage in 1965. A special reverse commemorating the United States Bicentennial was used in 1975 and 1976, with all pieces bearing the double date 1776–1976; there are no 1975-dated quarters

Reverse of coin: A Colonial patriot drummer facing left, with a victory torch surrounded with thirteen stars at the upper left, accompanied with the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and surrounded with the face value and the lettering "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"

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