Jack L. Ahr designed the colonial drummer reverse of the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial quarter.
Ahr’s design was selected in 1974 through a nationwide competition for temporary reverse designs on the quarter, half dollar, and dollar. His quarter showed a colonial drummer beside a torch of victory surrounded by 13 stars, representing the original American states.
The other winning designers created the companion Bicentennial reverses. Seth Huntington designed the half dollar’s Independence Hall image, while Dennis R. Williams designed the dollar’s Liberty Bell and Moon composition. Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro later made technical changes to all three designs for production.
Bicentennial quarters carry the dual date 1776–1976 rather than a single year. They were struck in large quantities for circulation, alongside collector versions containing silver. Because the design was temporary, the colonial drummer reverse disappeared after the Bicentennial issue and the standard Washington quarter reverse returned.