How to Identify the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

What It Is

The Standing Liberty quarter, designed by sculptor Hermon MacNeil, debuted in late 1916 with an extremely small mintage, making it the key date and one of the most valuable and sought-after 20th-century United States quarters despite being part of a design used for over two decades.

Obverse Design

Liberty stands full-length within a gateway formed by two low walls, holding a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her right, gesturing toward peace while remaining ready for defense. On this first-year "Type 1" design, her right breast is bare; this changed in mid-1917 when a chain mail covering was added to the design. "LIBERTY" arcs above, stars flank the gateway, and the date sits at the bottom on a small pedestal beneath Liberty's feet.

Reverse Design

An eagle in flight facing left dominates the reverse, surrounded by stars along the border, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arcing above and "QUARTER DOLLAR" below. The 1916 issue does not carry "E PLURIBUS UNUM," a motto added later during the Type 2 redesign in 1917.

Size, Weight, Metal & Edge

The coin measures 24.3mm in diameter, weighs 6.25 grams, is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, and has a reeded edge.

Mint Marks

The 1916 issue was struck only at Philadelphia, so it carries no mint mark. Later Standing Liberty quarters place their mint mark on the obverse, to the left of the date, a detail worth knowing when comparing this issue to later years of the series.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The most important comparison is against the far more common 1917 Type 1 quarter, which shares the identical bare-breast design and general appearance. Because a genuine 1916 is worth dramatically more than a 1917, examine the date digits closely for signs of re-engraving or an added serif that would turn a "7" into a "6." Also confirm whether the design is Type 1, with the bare breast, or Type 2, with the chain mail covering adopted mid-1917 onward, since a Type 2 coin cannot possibly be dated 1916.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Because the design was struck in high relief, it wears quickly compared to flatter coin designs. Check Liberty's head and the shield's rivets on the obverse for flatness, and look at whether the head area is sharply defined, sometimes described as a "Full Head" strike when the hair and facial details remain fully distinct rather than worn smooth.

Authenticity Red Flags

Given the coin's rarity and value, this date is a frequent target for alteration from a genuine 1917 coin. Look for tooling or engraving marks around the date, inconsistent spacing or alignment between digits, and compare the overall diameter, weight, and denticle detail to known genuine examples. Given the stakes involved with a coin of this significance, verification by a professional grading service is advisable for any candidate example before drawing firm conclusions.