Standing Liberty Quarters

Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter is a U.S. coin minted from 1916 to 1930. Designed by sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil, it features Lady Liberty standing between two columns on the obverse and an eagle in flight on the reverse. It was introduced in 1916 as a replacement for the Barber quarter, which had been in circulation since 1892. The decision to replace the Barber quarter was partly due to a misunderstanding of the 25-year law passed by Congress in 1890, which stated that a coin design could not be used for more than 25 years without Congressional approval.

However, Mint Director Robert W. Woolley, who had been in office for less than a month at the time, mistakenly believed that this law required a new design to be produced after 25 years of production, regardless of whether Congressional approval had been granted. As a result, he announced a competition among several artists to design a new quarter. Sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil’s design was chosen from over 300 submissions and became the design for the silver Standing Liberty quarter.

Standing Liberty Quarter Design

This iconic quarter is regarded as one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. coinage history. The obverse features Lady Liberty standing in a doorway, draped in a white robe with her right breast uncovered. She holds an olive branch and a shield, symbolizing America’s promise to protect peace in the face of any threat. At her feet lie two dolphins, representing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The reverse depicts a realistic American Bald Eagle mid-flight, encircled by a pair of olive branches.

After only a few test coins were minted, Mint Director Wooley stepped down, and his successor, Friedrich Johannes Hugo von Engelken, decided to adjust the design without consulting MacNeil. He removed the dolphins from the obverse and shifted the eagle downwards on the reverse, replacing the olive branches with the thirteen stars representing the original colonies. These design changes, along with some striking issues, further delayed production until late 1916.

When production was finally announced in January 1917, MacNeil learned about the design changes and sent von Engelken a letter with his critiques. MacNeil was brought to the Philadelphia Mint to modify the coin, where he added a chainmail shirt to Lady Liberty to cover her exposed breast and adjusted the eagle to be closer to the center. The Standing Liberty quarter’s final design change occurred in 1924 when the dates were recessed to prevent them from rubbing off and disappearing easily.

These three design changes are designated as three different types:

• Type I (1916-1917) is the original minted design with the bare right breast on the obverse and a low eagle on reverse.
• Type II (1917-1924) is the updated design that adds a chainmail shirt on Lady Liberty and centers the eagle.
• Type III (1924-1930) is the update to Type II with a recessed date.

These types are also differentiated by their grading criteria. The key indicator of a superior grade for Standing Liberty quarters is the "Full Head" designation, signifying minimal to no wear on Liberty's head. However, the criteria for achieving this designation vary for each type:

• Type I exhibits clear and distinct separation between Liberty’s hair cords and cap.
• Type II and III exhibit three complete and distinct leaves on Liberty’s helmet, a complete outline on the helmet’s bottom, and a clear ear hole on the helmet’s side.

Standing Liberty Quarter Circulation 

Despite its initial design controversy, the silver Standing Liberty quarter remained in circulation for over a decade and is now a sought-after collectible, with the 1916 and 1917 coins being some of the most valuable dates in the series.

In 1916, the first year of production, only 52,000 proof coins were minted due to ongoing issues with sharpening the design. Despite these unresolved issues, von Engelken rushed production to demonstrate to Congress that the Barber quarter had indeed been replaced after 25 years. In 1917, 12 million bare-breasted coins were produced despite MacNeil's early modifications to the design.

This coin’s legacy continues into the modern era. In 2015, 100,000 quarters bearing the original 1916 design were struck at the West Point Mint in 99.9% gold for collectors.

Standing Liberty Quarter Value

The value of a Standing Liberty Quarter varies significantly based on its condition, mint mark, and rarity. As of 2024, common dates in average circulated condition typically range from $5 to $50. Quarters in uncirculated condition can fetch $100 to $500, while rare dates or those with a "Full Head" designation can be worth thousands of dollars. Special editions and proof coins, such as the 1916 or 1927-S quarters, are especially valuable and can reach prices well into the five-figure range.

There are many significant types of Standing Liberty quarters over the course of its history. For instance, 1917 had variety one and variety two. Each variety was minted at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. So that’s 6 different types of coins on its own. Some of the rare and more valuable mintages are 1916, 1919-D, 1923-S, and 1927-S. Standing Liberty quarters usually cost around a few hundred dollars in uncirculated condition while the rare years can cost a few thousand. The most valuable one is the 1916 edition of the coin costing over $10,000.

The Standing Liberty Quarter, minted from 1916 to 1930, is a series rich in history and numismatic value. Certain issues within this series are particularly rare and valuable, sought after by collectors for their scarcity, condition, and historical significance. Here's a list of some of the most expensive Standing Liberty Quarters, along with their estimated value ranges and mintages:

1. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 52,000
   • Value Range: $3,000 to $30,000+ in circulated conditions; uncirculated examples can exceed $50,000, with Full Head (FH) specimens reaching into the hundreds of thousands.

2. 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter (Overdate)

   • Mintage: Included in the total of 11,072,000 for 1918-S
   • Value Range: $1,500 to $15,000+ in lower grades; finer grades, especially with clear overdate features, can command $30,000 or more.

3. 1923-S Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 1,360,000
   • Value Range: $100 to $6,000+ in circulated conditions; uncirculated grades, particularly those with Full Head details, can range from $15,000 to $40,000+.

4. 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 396,000
   • Value Range: $100 to $3,000+ for circulated grades; uncirculated examples, especially with Full Head designation, can reach $20,000 to $50,000+.

5. 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 1,944,000
   • Value Range: $100 to $5,000+ in circulated conditions; uncirculated examples can exceed $10,000, with premiums for Full Head specimens.

6. 1920-S Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 1,380,000
   • Value Range: $100 to $4,000+ for circulated examples; uncirculated grades can fetch $8,000 to $25,000+, particularly with Full Head details.

7. 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 1,916,000
   • Value Range: $100 to $2,500+ in circulated conditions; uncirculated examples can range from $5,000 to $15,000+, with a premium for Full Head coins.

8. 1927-D Standing Liberty Quarter

   • Mintage: 976,000
   • Value Range: $50 to $2,000+ for circulated grades; uncirculated examples can command $5,000 to $20,000+, especially with Full Head details.

Where to Buy Standing Liberty Quarters?

For those looking to purchase these iconic pieces, Bullion Sharks offers a selection of Standing Liberty Quarters for sale. Bullion Sharks is known for its wide range of numismatic treasures, providing enthusiasts with access to a curated collection of coins, including the revered Standing Liberty Quarters.

Why Choose Bullion Sharks for Standing Liberty Quarters?

• Quality Selection: Bullion Sharks prides itself on offering coins that meet high standards of quality, ensuring that collectors can find pieces that match their criteria, from circulated coins with historical patina to uncirculated pieces boasting their original luster.

• Expertise and Trust: With a reputation for expertise in numismatics and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Bullion Sharks provides a trustworthy platform for purchasing rare and valuable coins. Their knowledgeable staff can assist both novice and experienced collectors.

• Competitive Pricing: Understanding the value and market demand for Standing Liberty Quarters, Bullion Sharks offers competitive pricing, making it easier for collectors to expand their collections without compromising on quality.

• Convenience: The convenience of browsing and purchasing online, coupled with secure shipping options, makes Bullion Sharks an attractive destination for collectors and investors looking to acquire Standing Liberty Quarters and other numismatic items.

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