Standing Liberty Quarters: Why the Dates Wear Off and Which Ones Are Rare
Standing Liberty quarters (1916 to 1930) are 90% silver. Learn about Type 1 and Type 2, why many have no date, and which dates are scarce.
The Standing Liberty quarter only lasted 15 years, but it’s a favorite with collectors. Liberty stands in a gateway holding a shield and an olive branch, and the design is full of detail. Unfortunately, that detail, including the date, wore off quickly in people’s pockets. Here’s what to know.
The Basics
- Made from 1916 to 1930
- Designed by sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil
- 90% silver, like all U.S. quarters through 1964
- Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S)
- The mint mark is on the front, to the left of the date, near Liberty’s feet
Type 1 and Type 2
- Type 1 (1916 to early 1917): Liberty’s chest is partly uncovered.
- Type 2 (1917 to 1930): Liberty wears a coat of chain mail. The back was also changed slightly, with three stars moved below the eagle.
Why So Many Have No Date
On early Standing Liberty quarters, the date sits on a raised step at Liberty’s feet. It was one of the highest points of the coin, so it wore away fast. Starting in 1925, the Mint recessed the date into the step to protect it. That’s why many quarters from 1916 to 1924 are dateless or nearly dateless, while later ones usually still show their date.
Dateless Standing Liberty quarters are common and are generally worth their silver plus a little for the type.
Key Dates to Look For
- 1916: The key to the series. Only about 52,000 were made.
- 1918/7-S: An overdate where a 7 shows under the 8. Rare and valuable.
- 1919-D, 1919-S, 1921, and 1923-S: Lower-mintage dates that are scarce.
- 1927-S: Common in worn condition but scarce with a sharp strike.
Because the 1916 is so valuable, altered dates and fakes exist. Have it checked if you think you have one.
“Full Head” Coins
Liberty’s head was often weakly struck. Coins with a fully detailed head, including the hair and the cap, are called Full Head (FH) and bring a strong premium in uncirculated condition.
More guides: silver Washington quarters, Barber coins, Mercury dimes, Walking Liberty halves.
The Bottom Line
Standing Liberty quarters are 90% silver and were made from 1916 to 1930. Many early ones have lost their dates, which is normal. Check for the 1916, the 1918/7-S overdate, and the other scarce dates, and don’t try to “restore” worn dates with acid.
Have Standing Liberty quarters? JoCo Coin Shop offers honest, no-obligation appraisals across the Kansas City area. Contact me by phone, text, or email to get started.
