Standing Liberty Quarter

Before 1916, American silver coins tended to be given the same design, with variations in size and small details - and the label for the coin itself, of course. However, in 1916, designs began to diverge in fundamental ways. The Standing Liberty Quarter is one of the earliest examples of this “new” tradition.

Designed by Hermon Macneil, the obverse side shows a full-body view of Liberty, draped like a classical goddess, holding an olive branch and shield. This image was supposed to show current American attitudes in light of the Great War: Americans were ready to shield/defend themselves if fighting was necessary, but preferred peace. Liberty is also surrounded by stars, and the familiar motto “In God We Trust.” The minting year is below her feet. The reverse side of Standing Liberty Quarter shows a finely-detailed three-quarters view of an eagle, facing right. The eagle is surrounded by stars, plus the familiar words “United States of America,” “Quarter Dollar,” and “E Pluribus Unum.” Standing Liberty Quarter Coin was made of one part copper to nine parts silver.

Most variations on Standing Liberty Quarter Coin have to do with changes to Liberty herself. Originally, she was bare-chested, but the public protested, and soon, she was given a blouse to cover herself. This revision was accompanied by changes to the eagle and stars. These were slight changes that made for easier minting. Other variations have to do with the detailing on Liberty’s head, which caused technical difficulties. Details were later reduced, which makes the older Full Head coins more valuable. Besides changes to Liberty, collectors watch out for a slight revision in 1925, when the minting year was stamped deeper into the metal.

Grading Standing Liberty Quarters

Standing Liberty Quarter Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1916-1930)

Date/Type	G4	VG8	F12	VF20	XF40	AU50	AU53	AU55	AU58	MS60
**1916	$2,970	$6,120	$7,500	$9,060	$10,980	$11,700	$12,300	$13,020	$13,620	$14,690
1917 Type I	$22	$38	$58	$77	$110	$156	$162	$180	$198	$216
1917 D Type I	$23	$41	$62	$92	$144	$174	$192	$210	$228	$252
1917 S Type I	$26	$43	$67	$92	$150	$192	$216	$240	$258	$300
1917 Type II	$18	$21	$25	$30	$56	$88	$96	$102	$126	$150
1917 D Type II	$33	$41	$62	$74	$106	$156	$162	$180	$198	$210
1917 S Type II	$35	$43	$60	$69	$97	$138	$150	$186	$210	$240
1918	$17	$21	$26	$31	$49	$82	$85	$92	$108	$138
1918 D	$29	$36	$46	$69	$104	$162	$174	$186	$240	$258
**1918/17 S	$1,570	$1,960	$3,480	$4,380	$7,500	$13,140	$13,500	$15,000	$17,000	$17,810
1918 S	$18	$23	$33	$44	$56	$96	$113	$122	$180	$210
1919	$31	$40	$49	$56	$75	$102	$120	$150	$198	$210
1919 D	$81	$104	$210	$348	$480	$720	$750	$790	$1,010	$1,200
1919 S	$86	$109	$192	$282	$492	$570	$670	$720	$1,050	$1,260
1920	$15	$18	$23	$30	$46	$85	$90	$100	$138	$156
1920 D	$48	$58	$84	$98	$138	$192	$210	$252	$300	$348
1920 S	$20	$25	$33	$48	$69	$114	$132	$168	$198	$270
*1921	$168	$222	$444	$570	$760	$970	$1,030	$1,150	$1,350	$1,410
1923	$15	$21	$30	$33	$46	$80	$85	$92	$116	$150
*1923 S	$330	$450	$650	$900	$1,200	$1,470	$1,710	$1,980	$2,130	$2,220
1924	$15	$18	$24	$30	$43	$82	$89	$95	$138	$150
1924 D	$49	$60	$98	$121	$150	$180	$186	$210	$234	$258
1924 S	$28	$33	$41	$52	$108	$192	$210	$228	$252	$390
1925	$5	$6	$8	$14	$39	$74	$82	$90	$108	$140
1926	$5	$6	$7	$12	$33	$67	$71	$79	$101	$144
1926 D	$7	$12	$17	$35	$54	$89	$94	$110	$120	$144
1926 S	$5	$6	$10	$23	$104	$228	$240	$288	$360	$420
1927	$5	$6	$7	$12	$32	$66	$70	$77	$98	$144
1927 D	$5	$17	$25	$55	$127	$180	$192	$204	$216	$252
1927 S	$39	$58	$127	$396	$1,050	$2,630	$2,780	$3,190	$3,940	$4,720
1928	$5	$6	$7	$10	$30	$65	$68	$73	$96	$132
1928 D	$5	$6	$7	$16	$43	$77	$84	$101	$108	$140
1928 S	$5	$6	$7	$14	$33	$70	$77	$89	$108	$140
1929	$5	$6	$7	$10	$31	$64	$71	$74	$89	$132
1929 D	$5	$6	$7	$14	$35	$71	$76	$90	$110	$144
1929 S	$5	$6	$7	$14	$31	$65	$72	$85	$102	$140
1930	$5	$6	$7	$10	$32	$64	$67	$77	$89	$132
1930 S	$5	$6	$8	$15	$33	$67	$77	$89	$102	$132