Collectors Love the Standing Liberty Quarter – Here’s Why

Collectors Love the Standing Liberty Quarter – The Standing Liberty Quarter, minted from 1916 to 1930, is one of the most iconic and beloved coins in American numismatic history. Featuring a stunning design by sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil, this coin captures the essence of liberty and strength through its intricate imagery. While all Standing Liberty Quarters are admired for their beauty, there are seven specific issues that have captured the hearts—and wallets—of collectors worldwide.

Let’s explore why these coins are so highly prized and what makes them stand out in the world of coin collecting.

The Allure of the Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter is a masterpiece of early 20th-century coinage. On the obverse, Lady Liberty stands tall, holding an olive branch in one hand and a shield in the other—a symbol of peace paired with readiness to defend. The reverse features an eagle in flight, exuding grace and power.

But beyond its artistic appeal, the Standing Liberty Quarter has a rich history. It was introduced during World War I, a time when patriotism and national pride were at their peak. However, certain issues within the series have become particularly valuable due to factors like low mintages, design changes, and minting errors.

Here are seven Standing Liberty Quarters that collectors are clamoring to add to their collections.

The 7 Most Coveted Standing Liberty Quarters

1. 1916: The First-Year Rarity

• Year & Mintmark: 1916 (No mintmark)
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: Only 52,000 coins were struck before the design was modified in 1917, making this first-year issue incredibly scarce.
• Recent Sale Price: $4,500 (VF-30 grade) to $15,000 (MS-65 grade in 2023).
• Interesting Fact: Many 1916 quarters were released into circulation without being saved, leaving few high-grade examples available today.

Also Read: Draped Bust Dimes: Rare Coins Worth Big Money

2. 1918/7-S: Overdate Variety

• Year & Mintmark: 1918/7-S
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: An overdate occurs when a die intended for one year is reused and altered for another. In this case, remnants of “1917” can be seen beneath “1918.”
• Recent Sale Price: $2,500 (XF-40 grade) to $12,000 (MS-64 grade in 2022).
• Interesting Fact: This error highlights the challenges faced by mints during wartime production.

3. 1921: Low Mintage Key Date

• Year & Mintmark: 1921 (No mintmark)
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: With just 1,916,000 coins minted, this Philadelphia issue is one of the lowest-mintage dates in the series. High-grade examples are especially rare.
• Recent Sale Price: $300 (Good condition) to $7,500 (MS-65 grade in 2021).
• Interesting Fact: The 1921 quarter is often considered the key date of the series, making it a must-have for serious collectors.

4. 1923-S: San Francisco Sleeper

• Year & Mintmark: 1923-S
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: Though not the lowest mintage, finding this San Francisco issue in pristine condition is exceptionally difficult.
• Recent Sale Price: $150 (circulated) to $3,000 (MS-66 grade in 2023).
• Interesting Fact: The 1923-S is often overlooked but is considered one of the tougher dates to find in gem condition.

5. 1927-S: Condition Rarity

• Year & Mintmark: 1927-S
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: While nearly 3 million coins were minted, very few survived in high grades due to heavy circulation.
• Recent Sale Price: $200 (Fine condition) to $5,000 (MS-65 grade in 2022).
• Interesting Fact: This coin is a prime example of how condition can dramatically affect value, even for higher-mintage issues.

6. 1930-S: Final Year Rarity

• Year & Mintmark: 1930-S
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: As the last year of production, only 1,612,000 coins were minted, and many were lost to melting or wear over time.
• Recent Sale Price: $500 (VF-35 grade) to $8,000 (MS-65 grade in 2023).
• Interesting Fact: The 1930-S marks the end of an era for this beautiful series, adding sentimental value for collectors.

7. 1917 Type 1 vs. Type 2 Transition

• Year & Mintmark: 1917 (No mintmark, S, D)
• Why It’s Rare/Valuable: In 1917, the design was modified mid-year to cover Liberty’s exposed breast with chain mail. Both Type 1 (bare breast) and Type 2 (chain mail) versions exist, with Type 1 being far scarcer.
• Recent Sale Price: $1,000 (Type 1, XF-40 grade) to $10,000 (Type 1, MS-64 grade in 2021).
• Interesting Fact: The design change reflects societal pressures of the time, making this transition historically significant.

Also Read: Rare Barber Quarter Coins – Do You Have One?

What Makes These Standing Liberty Quarters So Valuable?

Several key factors contribute to the desirability and value of these coins:

Rarity

Low mintages and unique varieties, such as overdates or transitional designs, make certain issues exceptionally scarce.

Condition

High-grade examples are exponentially more valuable than circulated coins. Grading services like PCGS and NGC play a crucial role in determining a coin’s worth based on preservation.

Historical Significance

From the introduction of the series during WWI to the final year marking its conclusion, each coin tells a story about America’s past.

Artistic Beauty

Hermon A. MacNeil’s design is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history, appealing to both collectors and art enthusiasts alike.