When you talk about change in Texas most folks aren't in favor of it. Many Texans would prefer things stay exactly the way they are. When you clarify the conversation and explain to the Texas A&M graduate who over-thinks everything that you're actually talking about pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and that kind of change. The light bulb eventually goes on. Dim though it may be.

Rich Smith, Unsplash
Rich Smith, Unsplash
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Most Texans have change or coins in their hands every day. You buy a cup of coffee at The Hole in One in Lufkin, you get change back. You buy a brew at Little Woodrow's in Beaumont, you get some coins back. If you sign Dak Prescott to a long-term deal to quarterback your football team, your fans will be screaming for change, but that's another story for another time.

Today we are talking about quarters, that kind of change. Thousands of these quarters are circulating around the country and in Texas as we speak. And if you have one, you might feel like you're a highly overpaid NFL quarterback. 

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Recent months have brought stories of pennies that are worth millions, $2 bills that could pay for college tuition, and other quirks in the creation of our cash that have resulted in ordinary money being valued ten, twenty, or hundreds of times more than its face value.

Numismatists across the country are now suggesting that we, the non-coin-collecting public be on the lookout for special quarters that are about 50 years old. The quarters in question are Bicentennial Quarters and if you were around in 1976 or have relatives who were living during our nation's 200th birthday back then, they might have a collection of those quarters.

Dance Heart via YouTube
Dance Heart via YouTube
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You could also find a Bicentennial Quarter in the change you get from a cash transaction. A lot of the quarters from that time in our nation's history are still in circulation. Most of them are worth .25 cents. But thousands of the special quarters still in circulation today are worth quite a bit more.

In fact, certain quarters are worth thousands of dollars. Among the most valuable of the Bicentennial Quarters that you might still find in change back from your boudin are these:

1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Silver (Regular Strike): $19,200
1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Silver (Proof): $13,500
1976-D Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Regular Strike): $6,462
1976-S Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Proof): $6,038
1976 Bicentennial Quarter, Clad (Regular Strike): $1,119

restlessglobetrotter, Getty Images
restlessglobetrotter, Getty Images
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The above information was chronicled in a story published on Al.com and in that story we found out that there is a pretty good chance that you or I could stumble across one of these highly sought-after quarters if we just pay attention.

What makes one coin valuable and the other worth only .25 cents might be hard to discern for the uninitiated. You can read about exactly what to look for here. And you can find out more about any Bicentennial Quarters you might already have in your possession, and their value, here. 

That 70s Show
Carsey-Werner-Mandabach Productions
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And speaking of the 70s, here's what life was like when those coins were new, you had hair on your head, and your back didn't hurt.

LOOK: 79 of the Most 1970s Photos You've Ever Seen

Step back into the wild, rebellious 1970s with 79 unforgettable photos that capture the era's bold fashions, entertainment and everyday life. 

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

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