History of the Standing Liberty Quarter
Hermon MacNeil’s Standing Liberty quarter is a short, dramatic series bookended by two famous quirks: the 1916 first-year rarity with a mintage of just 52,000, and a date placed so high on the design that it wore off within a few years of circulation — which is why dateless examples flood dealer junk bins.
The Type 1 design of 1916–1917 showed Liberty with an exposed breast; the Type 2 revision added chain mail. High-grade coins with a fully struck head earn the coveted Full Head designation and trade at large multiples of ordinary uncirculated prices.
The Standing Liberty quarter was struck from 1916 to 1930 in 90% silver, 10% copper. The design is the work of Hermon A. MacNeil. Each coin weighs 6.25 grams. Production took place at Philadelphia, Denver (D) and San Francisco (S).
How much is a Standing Liberty quarter worth?
Condition drives everything in numismatics. A heavily worn Standing Liberty quarter and a pristine one can differ in price by a factor of ten or more, so treat the figures below as broad retail ranges for problem-free coins rather than fixed quotes.
For a live market check, recent sold listings beat out-of-date price guides every time. CoinVault Pro combines Numista catalog data with real eBay sold prices for every coin it recognizes, so you can see what buyers are actually paying this month — not what a book claimed years ago.
- Dateless: $4–$6 (silver value)
- Common dates, Good: $8–$15
- Common dates, XF: $40–$90
- MS-63: $150–$300
- 1916, Good: $1,500–$2,500
How to identify a genuine Standing Liberty Quarter
Authentication starts with the basics: weight, diameter, design details and the way the surfaces look. For the Standing Liberty quarter, check the following:
If anything feels off — the weight is wrong, the details are mushy, or the surfaces look cast rather than struck — get a second opinion before buying or selling. Valuable dates are exactly the coins counterfeiters target most.
- The date sits on the pedestal at Liberty’s feet — the first place to wear away.
- The 1917 Type 1 is the affordable stand-in for the rare 1916 in type sets.
- Full Head examples show a complete helmet outline and visible ear hole.
- The 1918/7-S overdate is the series’ major variety, worth four figures even worn.
Check your Standing Liberty quarter with CoinVault Pro
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