What figure appears on the reverse of the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial quarter?

A colonial drummer appears on the reverse of the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial quarter.

The quarter was part of a three-coin commemorative program marking the 200th anniversary of American independence. Jack L. Ahr designed the reverse, which shows a colonial drummer beside a victory torch surrounded by 13 stars representing the original colonies.

The obverse retained George Washington’s portrait, but the usual date was replaced by the dual date “1776–1976.” The quarter was issued in both copper-nickel circulation versions and special silver-clad collector versions.

The drummer is sometimes mistaken for a Minuteman because both images evoke the Revolutionary era. However, the official design is identified as a colonial drummer. The half dollar in the same program showed Independence Hall, while the dollar featured the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon.