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Standing proud: MacNeil's Standing Liberty quarter designs
By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff
Could any quarter dollar carry designs more beautiful than Hermon A. MacNeil's Standing Liberty obverse and Flying Eagle rev... Read more
Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
Standing proud: MacNeil's Standing Liberty quarter designs
By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff
Could any quarter dollar carry designs more beautiful than Hermon A. MacNeil's Standing Liberty obverse and Flying Eagle reverse?
MacNeil's coin is arguably more attractive than the quarter dollars that preceded it; and its replacement, the Washington quarter dollar of 1932 to 1998 with its rather bland designs, isn't in the same class design wise. The Standing Liberty quarter dollar is, in fact, one of the most beautiful U.S. coinage designs of all time.
The controversy over the original version of MacNeil's Standing Liberty only adds to the coin's appeal.
The Standing Liberty quarter dollar represents two turning points in U.S. coinage design. Its introduction as a 1916 replacement for the Barber quarter dollar represented a turn from uniformity (Barber's Liberty Head design on the dime, quarter dollar and half dollar was replaced with designs unique to each denomination). Its replacement in 1932 by the Washington quarter dollar represented the last time that denomination changed design after the mandatory 25-year period. Since then, Mint officials have reinterpreted the law as no longer requiring design changes every 25 years (as they once did) but as permitting designs to change.
The 1916 and first 1917 Standing Liberty quarter dollars depict Liberty with an uncovered right breast. MacNeil modified the design in 1917 by adding a coat of chain mail to Liberty that covers her exposed flesh. While writers have claimed for years the design change was in reaction to pressure from a public offended by Liberty's partial nudity, no one has ever come forward with contemporary news accounts or Mint records indicating anything of the sort. Instead, the change in design appears to be militaristic in nature as the United States prepared for war against Germany. MacNeil's other sculptures from this period also show a similar transition, from partially unclad female figures unprepared for the coming war to strong female figures wearing chain mail and ready to defend the nation.
In addition, the flying eagle on the reverse was raised slightly in 1917, and the stars rearranged with three of them moved to below the eagle.
From the viewpoint of variety collectors, there's just one major die variety: the 1918/7-S coin. While many consider it an overdate, it's also a doubled die, with the obverse die that struck it hubbed with two different hubs, one dated 1917 and a second dated 1918.
There are four scarce dates: the 1916 coin, of which just 52,000 were struck; the 1918/7-S quarter dollar, which isn't necessary for a complete date and Mint mark collection; the 1921 quarter, of which 1.9 million were struck; and the 1923-S coin, of which 1.36 million pieces were coined.
Specialists look for "full head" examples: These are coins that were particularly well struck, and that feature Liberty with a sharply detailed head, with clearly defined features.
The Standing Liberty quarter dollar series is a good one to collect, if you have the financial means to do so. It is also a beautiful series of coins for anyone who loves coins.
Standing Liberty quarter dollars |
|
| Date of authorization: | April 2, 1792 |
| Dates of issue: | 1916-1930 |
| Designer: | Hermon MacNeil |
| Engravers: | Obverse: Hermon MacNeil Reverse: MacNeil, Charles Barber |
| Diameter: | 24.26 mm/0.96 inch |
| Weight: | 6.25 grams/0.20 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Weight of pure silver: | 5.63 grams/0.18 ounce |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint mark: | Obverse left of date |
Marketplace
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1917 25C Type One MS65 Full Head PCGS.
Bid Now
Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-65 -
1917 25C Type One MS66 Full Head PCGS.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-66 -
1917-D T-1 Standing Liberty Quarter PCGS MS-65 Full head
Buy Now
Price: $1,495.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS MS-65 Full head -
1917-D T-1 Standing Liberty Quarter PCGS MS-66 Full head
Buy Now
Price: $3,250.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS MS-66 Full head
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 25C -- Graffiti -- PCGS Genuine. | VF-20 | $3,877.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3444 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1916 25C -- Polished -- NGC Details. | AU-50 | $6,462.50 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3796 | NGC Details |
| 1917 25C Type One -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (42/1414). PCGS | AU-50 | $111.63 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26554 | NGC Details |
| 1917 25C Type One -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (43/1418). PCGS | AU-50 | $158.63 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26134 | NGC Details |
| 1918 25C MS63 Full Head PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $499.38 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26555 | PCGS |
| 1918 25C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $352.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7608 | PCGS |
| 1919 25C -- Cleaned -- ANACS. AU55 Details. NGC Census: (25/563). PCGS | AU-55 | $92.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20705 | ANACS |
| 1919 25C -- Harshly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (16/595). PCGS | AU-50 | $59.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22768 | Details NGC |
| 1920 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/976). PCGS | MS-60 | $96.35 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26734 | NGC Details |
| 1920 25C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (53/1127). PCGS | AU-55 | $94.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26158 | NGC |
| 1921 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (11/418). PCGS | AU-50 | $587.50 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7835 | NGC Details |
| 1921 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. Fine. NGC Census: (37/606). PCGS | F-12 | $264.38 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26140 | NGC Details |
| 1923 25C -- Cleaned -- PCGS Genuine. UNC Details. NGC Census: (0/1098). PCGS | MS-60 | $141.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24155 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1923 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/1101). PCGS | MS-60 | $102.23 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28218 | NGC Details |
| 1924 25C -- Stained -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/564). PCGS | MS-60 | $89.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24745 | Details NGC |
| 1924 25C AU50 PCGS. PCGS | AU-50 | $74.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20986 | PCGS |
| 1925 25C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $229.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26609 | PCGS |
| 1925 25C MS64 Full Head NGC. NGC Census: (177/133). PCGS | MS-64 | $499.38 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7845 | NGC |
| 1926 25C AU50 PCGS. PCGS | AU-50 | $56.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20201 | PCGS |
| 1926 25C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $200.93 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21069 | PCGS |
| 1927 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (11/720). PCGS | AU-50 | $52.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20999 | NGC Details |
| 1927 25C AU55 PCGS. PCGS | AU-55 | $72.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20988 | PCGS |
| 1928 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/455). PCGS | MS-60 | $99.88 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24158 | NGC Details |
| 1928 25C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $205.63 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20180 | PCGS |
| 1929 25C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (35/617). PCGS | AU-55 | $60.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24160 | NGC |
| 1929 25C MS63 Full Head NGC. NGC Census: (183/513). PCGS | MS-63 | $282.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8150 | NGC |
| 1930 25C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (10/834). PCGS | AU-50 | $53.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21001 | NGC Details |
| 1930 25C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (190/568). PCGS | AU-58 | $82.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28839 | NGC |
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Auctions
- 1942 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (4845/3028). PCGS $89
- 1884-S $1 AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (809/4319). PCGS $200
- 1895-O $1 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (86/3598). PCGS $259
- 1942-D 10C MS66 Full Bands NGC. NGC Census: (1295/650). PCGS $47
- 1989-W G$5 Congress Gold Five Dollar MS70 PCGS. PCGS $470
- 1903-O $1 -- Damaged, Bent -- NGC Details. Fine. NGC Census: (10/6551). PCGS $141
- 1836 $5 XF45 PCGS. PCGS $969
- 1921 $1 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (7824/547). PCGS $129
- 1896-O $1 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (456/4079). PCGS $79
- 1890 $1 MS64 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (4028/305). PCGS $112
- 1904-S $20 MS63 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (8010/3373). PCGS $2,174
- 1904 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (19/628). PCGS $62
- 1857 1C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (502/1116). PCGS $940
- 1931-S 1C XF40 NGC. NGC Census: (306/1696). PCGS $100
- 1885-CC $1 MS65+ PCGS. CAC. PCGS $1,175
- 1961 50C PR67 NGC. NGC Census: (5644/1886). PCGS $31
- 1972-S $1 Silver MS66 PCGS. PCGS $23
- 1942-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (1520/1023). PCGS $153
- 1899-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (22627/8477). PCGS $74
- 1922-D 1C -- Corrosion -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (78/792). PCGS $15
All Categories
Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Left Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Right Half Cent
- Draped Bust Half Cent
- Classic Head Half Cent
- Coronet Half Cent
Cent
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Chain Reverse
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Wreath Reverse
- Liberty Cap Large Cent
- Draped Bust Large Cent
- Classic Head Large Cent
- Coronet Large Cent
- Flying Eagle Cent
- Indian Head Cent
- Lincoln Cent
2 Cents
3 Cents
5 Cents
- Shield 5 Cents
- Liberty Head 5 Cents
- Indian Head (Buffalo) 5 Cents
- Jefferson 5 Cents
- Half Disme Pattern
- Flowing Hair Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime
- Capped Bust Half Dime
- Seated Liberty Half Dime
Dime
- Draped Bust Dime
- Capped Bust Dime
- Seated Liberty Dime
- Barber Dime
- Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime
- Roosevelt Dime
20 cents
Quarter
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Capped Bust Quarter Dollar
- Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Barber Quarter Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Washington Quarter Dollar
- America the Beautiful
Half Dollar
- Flowing Hair Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar
- Capped Bust Half Dollar
- Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Franklin Half Dollar
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dollar
- Seated Liberty Dollar
- Trade Dollar
- Morgan Dollar
- Peace Dollar
- Eisenhower Dollar
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar
- Sacagawea/Native American Dollar
- Gold Dollar (All Three "Types")
- Presidential Dollars
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- Gobrecht Dollar
- American Eagles
2.50 dollar
- Capped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Classic Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Coronet $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Head $5 Half Eagle
- Classic Head $5 Half Eagle
- Coronet Head $5 Half Eagle
- Indian Head $5 Half Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head $10 Eagle
- Indian Head $10 Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
- First Spouse
20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
