Standing Liberty Quarter
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The Standing Liberty Quarter was issued from 1916 to 1930 by the United States Mint.
Specifications
- Designer: Hermon A MacNeil
- Type I Obverse Design: Miss Liberty
- Type I Reverse Design: American Eagle in Flight
- Type II Obverse Design: Miss Liberty with Chain Armor
- Type II Reverse Design: American Eagle in Flight
- Edge: Reeded
- Weight: 6.3 grams
- Diameter: 24.3 millimeters
- Composition: Silver (90%), Copper (10%)
- Dates Minted: 1916-1930
Background
The Standing Liberty quarter was designed by Herman A. MacNeil, and is considered one of THE most appealing of U.S. coin designs. A worn Standing Liberty quarter (and there are many of them out there) looks pretty ordinary, but high-grade pieces are truly something to behold. Which is why there are many eager buyers for high-grade Standing Liberty quarters: it’s not just because of their scarcity, but because of their beauty as well. Just take a look at the obverse: the full standing figure of a thinly-draped Miss Liberty fills out the face of the coin from nearly top to bottom, her figure accented by the thinness of the draped material. A shield is held over her left torso, and she is flanked by two thick marble columns. Even the coin’s edge is unique, for now instead of the oft-used edge denticles, the edge is circled with bars and dots, in almost a Morse Code effect. On the reverse, an eagle is shown in full flight, surrounded by bold stars.
History
The Standing Liberty quarter shares a few things in common with the Buffalo nickel, besides the fact that both are attractive and popular U.S. coin types. First, both coins began in the 1910’s, a period when the United States was making a concentrated effort to strike beautifully designed coins. Second, both coin types feature striking obverse designs that fill the obverse of the coin to such an extent, that the date is crammed into a tiny space at the bottom (hence, the dates wear off quickly). And lastly, both coin types had to undergo major design modifications within a year of being introduced. What the Buffalo nickel does NOT share in common with the Standing Liberty quarter, is having an X-rated and a G-rated version!
Ok, it’s not quite that dramatic. But when the Standing Liberty quarter made its first appearance on the scene in 1916, it raised a few eyebrows. Why? Because Miss Liberty on the obverse was topless—or half-topless actually, as just one breast was completely exposed. This “topless” version of the Standing Liberty quarter lasted from the initial small striking of Standing Liberty quarters in 1916, through much of 1917, before a Version 2 Standing Liberty quarter was released in the latter part of 1917. This “Version 2” quarter now featured a more modest Miss Liberty wearing chain armor to cover her chest. It’s said the National Organization For the Supression of Vice had something to do with the change, but today, many experts doubt that oft-told explanation.
Many collectors shake their heads to think that a classic like the Standing Liberty quarter, had to step aside to make way for what many consider to be one of our nation’s most boring coin designs: the Washington quarter. But that’s exactly what happened. In 1931, there were no quarters minted. Apparently the mint was gearing up to release a quarter to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. And that quarter appeared in 1932: the Washington quarter. No doubt the public probably thought the Standing Liberty quarter would return in 1933. But it did not. In 1933, once again, no quarters were minted. When quarter mintage was resumed once again in 1934, lo and behold, it was the Washington quarter that reappeared, not the Standing Liberty quarter. The Washington quarter remains with us to this day, while the Standing Liberty quarter would have to settle for its relatively short fifteen-year run. This classic of 1916-30 is gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Collecting
There was a small mintage of Standing Liberty quarters in its first year of 1916. That’s because for most of that year, 1916-dated Barber quarters were being struck. In fact, a combined mintage of nearly 8 million 1916 Barber quarters poured out of the Philadelphia and Denver mints. By comparison, only 52,000 1916 Standing Liberty quarters were struck, and then only at the Philadelphia mint. This accounts for the VERY high retail price of about $3,500 for a 1916 Standing Liberty quarter—and that’s for the lower grade of Good! An Uncirculated example is valued at $18,500!
There are actually six different types of 1917 Standing Liberty quarters you’ll have to get if you want a truly complete set of this series. There is the 1917-P, D and S Variety 1 Type (that’s the one with the immodest Miss Liberty), and the 1917-P,D, and S Variety 2 Type (modest Miss Liberty). The 1917 Variety 1 Standing Liberty quarters are what most collectors will have to purchase if they want an example of the short-lived Variety 1 Standing Liberty quarter. They were struck in the low millions, and average about $25-$30 in Good, $55-$60 in Fine.
The Variety 2 Standing Liberty quarter lasted from the end of 1917 until 1930, the last year of issue for this coin type. There are some truly scarce date/mintmarks within that time span. There is the 1919-D ($100 in Good), 1919-S ($100 in Good), 1920-D ($60 in Good), 1921-P ($185 in Good), 1923-S ($375 in Good), and the 1924-D ($60 in Good). Most of the Standing Liberty quarters you’re likely to encounter will be dated 1925 to 1930, as these are the common dates. The exception is the 1927-S. The 27-S has to be considered a bargain when it retails for only $45 in Very Good, yet has a truly paltry mintage (especially for a 20th century coin!) of only 396,000!
Grading
Also mentioned earlier in the article, is the fact that the date is almost an afterthought. It shows up in a small space below the standing Miss Liberty. Consequently, the date could not be struck large or bold, and also consequently, the date tended to wear off quickly. This accounts for the many circulated Standing Liberty quarters that come down to us today with just partial dates or no date at all! The mintmark was even less durable. It’s actually quite hard to find on this quarter type, but it can be found—if it’s not worn off—at the base of the marble column near Miss Liberty’s right (her’s) foot.
Price Guide
Mints
- Philadelphia Mint (No mintmark)
- Denver Mint (D mintmark)
- San Francisco Mint (S mintmark)
External Links
- CoinFacts.com Standing Liberty Quarter Dollars (1916-1930)
- CoinResource.com Standing Liberty Quarter Dollars 1916-1930
