Official United States Bicentennial coins display the dual date 1776–1976.
The first year represents the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, while the second identifies the Bicentennial anniversary year. Congress required the special dating as part of a temporary redesign of the Washington quarter, Kennedy half dollar, and Eisenhower dollar.
Some Bicentennial coins were struck during 1975, but they still carried 1776–1976 rather than a 1975 date. This detail sometimes surprises collectors because the Mint began producing the special pieces before the anniversary year itself. The dual date visually connected the historical event with its 200-year commemoration.
The dating appeared alongside distinctive reverse designs. The quarter showed a colonial drummer, the half dollar depicted Independence Hall, and the dollar featured the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon. Together, the designs made the coins recognizable as a coordinated national series.