The coin remains one of the most appealing and valuable quarters in American collecting, largely due to its unique look and the problems that arose during its production.
Understanding the special features of this coin’s creation helps collectors determine its rarity and market value.
Design and Making Periods
Type 1 (1916 – Early 1917)
The front side shows Liberty standing between walls, holding a shield in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with her right chest completely uncovered.
The back side shows the eagle flying right, having no stars below it. All thirteen stars are lined up above the eagle, placed above the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”.
The year of making, located on the base below the Liberty figure, is often rubbed away during use because of the coin’s high design, quickly making the coin dateless.
Type 1 production lasted for a short time, the design changing quickly because the image of Liberty with an open chest caused public disapproval, considered unfit for use on coins.
Type 2 (Late 1917 – 1924)
The most noticeable change involved the figure of Liberty now wearing mail armor, covering her chest, done to address public criticism.
The eagle on the back side now flies left.
Five stars moved down, placed below the eagle, while the other eight stars remained above.
Despite MacNeil’s efforts to change the design, the date still rubbed away quickly, proving to be the biggest issue for the US Mint during the Type 2 period.
Because of this, many quarters, even those in relatively good condition, have an unreadable date, greatly lowering their collectible value.
Responding to this problem, coin production stopped in 1922, restarting in 1923 with better, but still imperfect, date protection.
Type 3 (1925 – 1930)
The year of making was changed to be recessed, meaning pressed into the metal, proving to be the most substantial change, effectively solving the date rubbing problem during circulation. The date started lasting much better.
- Other parts of the design remained the same as those of Type 2.
Type 3 coins are the most common and best preserved, with collectors often valuing samples of this type retaining all making details (Full Head), especially on Liberty’s head.
How Making Affects Rarity and Value
The unique feature that helps to identify coins of this series is that the technical making problems, relating to the date rubbing away, and the following design changes created incredibly rare and valuable examples.
The Date Rubbing Problem
The problem of the date rubbing away quickly had the greatest influence on the quarter’s price. Type 1 and Type 2 coins showing a clear date sell for much more money than similar coins with a rubbed-off date, the price difference reaching tens or even hundreds of times greater.
Type 1 Making Features
The 1916 quarter stands as the rarest in this series, its making starting at the very end of the year, resulting in an extremely low total number produced. The low number made, short release time, and quick removal from circulation turned this coin into a legend.
Type 2 Making Features
During the 1917–1924 period, when Type 2 was made, several years had low production numbers, particularly for the Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) Mints. These coins, having a complete date, sell for high prices.
Full Head
For Standing Liberty Quarters, the condition Full Head (FH) acts as a special term, meaning the coin clearly shows all details of Liberty’s head: the three laurel wreath leaves, hair strands on the head, and the ear opening.
Due to the making difficulties and the high design, few coins retained this detail and can be easily checked with a coin value app.
A coin with a full image of Liberty’s head sells for several times the price of a similar coin lacking this feature.
Most Valuable and Rare Standing Liberty Quarter Dates
The value of the Standing Liberty Quarter is decided by combining these factors: the year, the mint, the type, the degree of preservation, and the presence of Full Head.
1916 (Type 1)
The first and lowest-production issue (only 52,000 made), produced for only a few weeks, leading to high value.
- Value: Any sample with a visible date costs thousands of dollars, with coins in uncirculated condition potentially reaching six-figure sums, truly being the series’ “King”.
1927-S (Type 3)
The 1927 quarters, made in San Francisco (S), had a relatively low production number and often suffered heavy wear in circulation, making them hard to find well-preserved.
- Value: Samples in Full Head (FH) condition count among the most unusual and expensive in the Type 3 series, selling regularly for tens of thousands of dollars.
1921 (Type 2)
The total number made in 1921 remained small. Additionally, the quality proved unstable, making coins with avoided date rubbing highly sought after.
- Value: 1921 coins in MS-65 condition (uncirculated, high quality) are collectible items, selling for impressive amounts.
1919-D and 1919-S (Type 2)
In 1919, low numbers were produced in Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). Coins from these years, especially those retaining Full Head, remain exceptionally rare.
- Value: Either of these two issues, having Full Head status, stands as one of the most valuable samples, showing the extremely small number of quality coins remaining.
| Year | Type | Production | Condition G-4 | Condition MS-65 Full Head |
| 1916 | 1 | 52,000 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $50,000 – $150,000+ |
| 1919-D | 2 | 1,944,000 | $100 – $300 | $15,000 – $35,000+ |
| 1921 | 2 | 1,916,000 | $200 – $500 | $25,000 – $60,000+ |
| 1927-S | 3 | 3,956,000 | $25 – $75 | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
Note: Prices are estimates and may change greatly depending on the current market, grading, and other factors. G-4 (Good) means a coin with strong signs of use, where details, including the date, appear only weakly visible.
Searching Strategies and Collector Advice
Searching for Standing Liberty Quarters often involves looking for a coin with a clear date, especially for Type 1 and Type 2.
What to look for when buying:
- Clear Date: Acting as the main sign determining value. Even a worn but visible date on coins before 1925 raises the cost greatly.
- Full Head (FH): Showing full details of Liberty’s head, serving as a sign of perfect making quality and lack of heavy wear.
- Mint Mark: Check for the mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) above the date, located below the Liberty figure.
The Standing Liberty Quarter coin remains a silver memory of an era, telling a story about the US Mint’s problems with design and quality control.
These production difficulties and the following changes made this series one of the most exciting and valuable for collecting, where a difference of one year or even one small design element may mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.
Collecting this series requires attention to detail and good knowledge of all three making types.