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Standing Liberty Quarter 1916 - 1930
By the year was 1916, Charles Barber’s “uninspired” design on the dime, quarter
and Half dollar had been around 25 years, and now, according to the Coinage Act
of 1890 had authorized, it was time to change them. In spite of the major distraction
of World War I raging in Europe, the public was ready for something different.
It was the perfect opportunity to issue a coin that, reflected the political climate
in the United States which was at best “guarded”. The artist chosen for the new
design was a prominent sculptor, Hermon Atkins MacNeil, who was known for his works
dealing with Indians and American history. MacNeil’s design captured the “guarded”
mood with a design that featured a standing frontal view of Liberty. The style was
certainly reminiscent of the Greek style. Her left arm has a shield in a posture
of protection, her right hand offers up an olive branch. It was a mixed message
that told our European neighbors we were ready for war or peace.
Vital Stats.
Type 1 No Stars Below Eagle (1916-1917)
Designer: Hermon MacNeil
Weight: 6.3 grams
Diameter: 24.3 millimeters
Edge: Reeded
Content: 90% silver 10% copper
Mint Mark Location: Above and to the left of the date on the obverse
Type 1 Mintage
Year/
Mint Mark | Circulation
Strikes
| | 1916 | 52,000 |
| 1917 | 8,740,000 |
| 1917-D | 1,509,200 |
| 1917-S | 1,952,000 |
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Type 1
No Stars Below Eagle
Type 1 was issued for only two years, 1916-1917, as there was some concern over
Liberty’s bared breast. The model for Liberty on this quarter was likely a composite
of silent film actor Dora Doscher and Broadway actoress Irene MacDowell; MacDowell’s
husband disapproved of the pose, probably because of the partial nudity of Liberty
(the undraped right breast).
In 1917, the design was modified, and the offending feature was from then on covered with chain mail.
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Vital Stats.
Type 2 Stars Below Eagle (1917-1930)
Designer: Hermon MacNeil
Weight:
- 1917: 6.3 grams
- 1918-1930: 6.15-6.35 grams
Diameter: 24.3 millimeters
Edge: Reeded
Content: 90% silver 10% copper
Mint Mark Location: Above and to the left of the date on the obverse
Type 2 Mintage
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Type 2
Stars Below Eagle
Type 2 was substantially reworked, the most evident changes were the repositioning
of the stars on the reverse along with the chain mail on Miss Liberty’s breast,
which we mentioned earlier.
Other smaller changes were a smoothing of the fields and a pronounced curvature to
the dies. In 1925 the obverse underwent another minor change: The date area recess
was increased to reduce wear of the date (it was one of the highest features and
first to ware). Some say this constitutes a “Type 3”, others disagree.
1918-S "8 over 7" Quarter
Both Type 1 and Type 2 quarters were produced by all three mints during 1917.
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| Mint Mark | Mint | Date of Operation |
| None | Philadelphia, PA | 1793-present |
| D | Denver, CO | 1906-present |
| S | San Francisco, CA | 1854-1955; 1968-present |
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