The special U.S. coins issued for the 1976 Bicentennial carried the double date 1776–1976.
The United States Mint produced temporary reverse designs for the Washington quarter, Kennedy half dollar, and Eisenhower dollar. Each coin retained its familiar obverse portrait but displayed the paired years marking the nation’s founding-era declaration and its 200th anniversary.
The coins were struck in both 1975 and 1976, yet none of the three denominations carried a 1975 date. Instead, every one bore the dual date 1776–1976. That design choice allowed the coins to function as circulating national souvenirs throughout the anniversary period.
The quarter showed a colonial drummer, the half dollar featured Independence Hall, and the dollar depicted the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon. These designs are often called “Bicentennial coins,” though they were circulating commemorative issues rather than ordinary annual designs.