$10 FV Standing Liberty Quarters

The Standing Liberty Quarter is an iconic U.S. coin minted from 1916 to 1930. Featuring the classic design by Hermon A. MacNeil, this 90% silver coin is beloved by collectors and historians alike for its artistic beauty and historical significance.

Design and Specifications

• Obverse (front): The figure of Liberty standing, holding a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her right hand. She is framed by an arched gateway, with stars surrounding the gateway and the inscription "LIBERTY" above. The date appears at the bottom.
• Reverse (back): An eagle in flight, surrounded by stars, with the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
• Weight: 6.25 grams
• Silver Content: 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver
• Fineness: 90% silver (0.900 fineness)

Mint Marks and Varieties

The Standing Liberty Quarter was struck at various U.S. Mints, with mint marks indicating the place of origin. The mint mark is located on the obverse, to the left of Liberty's feet:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark): The Philadelphia Mint produced the highest number of these coins.
• Denver ('D'): Coins from the Denver Mint are generally more scarce, especially in higher grades.
• San Francisco ('S'): San Francisco-minted coins are often highly sought after, particularly those from the earlier years of production.

Collectible Varieties

• Type I (1916-1917): Featuring a bare-breasted Liberty, this design was replaced due to public controversy.
• Type II (1917-1930): Liberty's torso was covered with chainmail, and additional design modifications were made.
• 1921 and 1923-S: These years are particularly rare and sought after by collectors.

Common Dates vs. Rare Dates

Philadelphia issues from 1917, 1920, and 1929 had large mintages, often making these coins more common in the market today. These dates are frequently found in lower grades due to heavy circulation.

Rare Dates and Varieties

Coins from the early years, especially 1916 and 1917 (Type I), are highly sought after. The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter is particularly rare due to its low mintage of just 52,000. Additionally, the 1921 and 1923-S mintages are considered key dates, commanding high premiums.

Another important variety is the 1918/7-S overdate, where a 1917 die was repunched with an 8, creating a sought-after error coin.

Various Grades and Values

The value of Standing Liberty Quarters depends on their condition (grade), rarity, and mint mark. Here is a general estimate of the value based on grades for common-date coins (Philadelphia and large mintage years).

• Good (G): $10-20
• Fine (F): $20-50
• Extremely Fine (XF): $50-100
• About Uncirculated (AU): $100-200
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU/MS): $200-400

Rare mint marks and key dates can command prices well into the thousands for coins in higher grades.

The Standing Liberty Quarter is a significant piece of American numismatic history. Key dates like the 1916, 1921, and 1923-S, as well as the 1918/7-S overdate, are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant premiums. Common-date coins are more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of collectors. The coin's value increases significantly with higher grades and more desirable mint marks.