The Standing Liberty quarter is one of the most admired U.S. coin designs of the 20th century. Struck from 1916 to 1930, it replaced the Barber quarter and introduced a bold new design featuring Liberty standing on the obverse and an eagle in flight on the reverse.
When the Standing Liberty quarter first appeared, it attracted public attention for more than its artistry. Liberty’s right breast was exposed on the original 1916 and early 1917 design, which caused controversy at the time. The design was revised in 1917, covering Liberty with chain mail. Later, in 1925, the date area was modified because the earlier raised dates wore away too easily in circulation.
Today, Standing Liberty quarters are highly collectible. Key dates, low-mintage issues, minting varieties, and coins with the desirable Full Head designation can command strong prices. Below are 10 of the most valuable Standing Liberty quarters, ranked by typical value ranges and collector demand.
10. 1920 S
PCGS
Value: $300-$850
The 1920-S Standing Liberty quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint, with a total mintage of about 6.3 million pieces. While that number may not seem especially low, attractive examples can be difficult to locate today, particularly in higher grades.
This issue becomes extremely rare above the MS65 level, meaning an uncirculated coin with only minor marks and strong overall eye appeal. Only a small number of high-grade examples are known, which keeps collector interest strong. For anyone building a Standing Liberty quarter set, the 1920-S is an important semi-key date.
9. 1920 D
PCGS
Value: $400-$850
The Denver Mint produced 3,586,400 Standing Liberty quarters in 1920. Many of these coins were not sharply struck, and weakness in the center of the design is common. Die cracks are also frequently seen on surviving examples.
Because of these production issues, Mint State coins are scarce, and examples with the Full Head designation are even harder to find. A Full Head Standing Liberty quarter shows strong detail on Liberty’s head, making it especially desirable among collectors. The combination of lower mintage, weak strikes, and limited high-grade survivors makes the 1920-D a valuable issue.
8. 1926 S
PCGS
Value: $420-$880
The 1926-S Standing Liberty quarter was widely saved by collectors beginning in the mid-1930s, so worn examples are not especially difficult to find. However, the situation changes significantly when looking for higher-grade pieces.
This San Francisco issue is scarce in better condition, partly because many examples were poorly struck. Coins with sharp details and a certified Full Head are much rarer. Collectors seeking a complete high-quality set often find the 1926-S to be a challenging coin, especially when eye appeal and strong strike quality are required.
7. 1924 S
PCGS
Value: $425-$1,100
The 1924-S Standing Liberty quarter was minted in San Francisco, with a production run of about 2.9 million pieces. Lower-grade circulated examples are more available because collectors began saving them in noticeable numbers during the 1930s.
Even so, this issue is much tougher in Mint State. Certified Full Head examples are particularly scarce and bring a premium when offered for sale. For collectors, the 1924-S represents the kind of coin that may appear affordable in worn condition but becomes much more expensive as grade and strike quality improve.
6. 1919 S
PCGS
Value: $1,000-$1,700
The 1919-S Standing Liberty quarter had a relatively low mintage of about 1.8 million pieces. As a result, it is popular with collectors in nearly every condition. Even coins with weak or worn dates can attract interest because of the issue’s overall scarcity.
Gem-quality examples are rare, whether or not they carry the Full Head designation. A Gem coin is an above-average uncirculated example with minimal marks, strong visual appeal, and very little evidence of handling. When a 1919-S quarter combines high grade with sharp strike details, it can command a strong price.
5. 1919 D
PCGS
Value: $1,100-$1,700
After World War I, agricultural demand in the United States changed, and food commodity prices declined. This affected the need for coinage from the Denver Mint, and only about 1.9 million Standing Liberty quarters were produced there in 1919.
The 1919-D is scarce in all grades, and higher-quality examples are increasingly difficult to locate. Many coins from this issue were also poorly struck, which makes sharp examples more desirable. Collectors often value this coin not only for its low mintage but also for the challenge of finding one with strong detail and attractive surfaces.
4. 1923 S
PCGS
Value: $3,000-$3,800
With a mintage of about 1.36 million coins, the 1923-S Standing Liberty quarter is one of the lowest-mintage issues in the entire series. It is elusive across all grades and was already difficult to obtain when collectors began searching for it seriously in the 1930s.
This issue is also known for date characteristics that help distinguish it from other 1923 quarters. The Philadelphia Mint coins from the same year tend to show thin, sharp date numerals, while San Francisco Mint examples may show a puffier appearance in the final two numerals. Its low survival rate and collector demand make the 1923-S one of the key Standing Liberty quarters.
3. 1927 S
PCGS
Value: $5,100-$7,800
Only 396,000 Standing Liberty quarters were produced at the San Francisco Mint in 1927. The exact reason for such a low production total is not fully known, especially since the economy was strong at the time.
Whatever the cause, the low mintage made the 1927-S one of the most important coins in the series. It is scarce in all grades and especially valuable in higher condition. It is also considered the most difficult Standing Liberty quarter to find with a Full Head designation, adding even more demand from advanced collectors.
2. 1916 P
PCGS
Value: $17,000-$20,000
The 1916 Standing Liberty quarter was the first issue in the series, and only 52,000 pieces were minted. That makes it one of the lowest-mintage U.S. quarters of the 20th century and one of the most famous key dates among American coins.
These quarters were struck at the Philadelphia Mint during the final weeks of 1916. At the same time, Barber quarters were still being produced in larger numbers, making the new Standing Liberty design a very limited release for that year. It is estimated that only about 10,000 examples survive today, with roughly 500 in higher grades. Because of its rarity and historical importance, the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter remains a major prize for collectors.
1. 1918 S 8/7
PCGS
Value: $21,000-$35,900
The 1918-S 8/7 Standing Liberty quarter is the most valuable coin on this list. It is a famous overdate variety, where the final digit of the date shows evidence of both a 7 and an 8. This minting error was first noticed in the late 1930s, after which collectors began saving the few examples still circulating.
Today, the 1918-S 8/7 is considered the Holy Grail of Standing Liberty quarters. Even low-grade examples are expensive because demand is high and supply is extremely limited. Fewer than 100 high-quality examples are believed to exist, making this overdate variety one of the most desirable rare quarters in American numismatics.
For collectors, Standing Liberty quarters offer a compelling mix of beautiful design, historical interest, and genuine rarity. While common circulated examples remain accessible, the key dates and major varieties can be worth thousands of dollars, especially when they show strong detail, attractive surfaces, and the coveted Full Head designation.