1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Value Checker: Errors List & No Mint Mark Worth

1916 Quarter value ranges from $0.25 face value to $195,500. That record was a Grade 67 Standing Liberty example sold through Stack’s Bowers in November 2010. Got one in your collection? Upload a photo of yours below and get a quick value range in seconds. Scroll down to see what 1916 Quarters are actually selling for on eBay today.

 

1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Value By Variety

The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter comes in two collectible forms — the standard No Mint Mark and the Full Head (FH) designation. Each carries different premiums across every grade level.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Valuable Quarter Coins In Circulation Worth Money (With Pictures)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Worth Money

The top sale for this coin is jaw-dropping. An MS-67 example brought $195,500 at a Bowers & Merena auction in November 2010. Another MS-67 sold for $50,400 — a huge gap between two coins sharing the same grade. That difference comes down to eye appeal and strike quality, which matter enormously at the top-pop level.

Even “affordable” Mint State examples aren’t cheap. MS-62 and MS-63 coins have sold for $21,275 and $24,000 respectively. I think that tells you everything about baseline demand for this key date — even the lower Mint State grades pull serious money.

 

History Of The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

By 1916, the Barber quarter had been in production for 24 years, and pretty much everyone was tired of it. Mint Director Robert W. Woolley decided to overhaul the dime, quarter, and half dollar all at once. Instead of using in-house engravers, he invited outside sculptors to compete for the new designs.

Sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil won the quarter competition with his Standing Liberty motif. The timing wasn’t accidental. World War I was raging in Europe, and Liberty stands holding a shield and an olive branch — peace first, but ready to fight. It was a bold statement for a nation on the brink of entering the conflict.

Here’s the fun detail: the rush from approved design to actual production was so tight that only 52,000 pieces were struck, all in the last two weeks of December 1916. That tiny mintage is one of the lowest for any circulating 20th-century coin, and it’s the main reason collectors chase this date so hard.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Quarters Worth Money List (1965-Present)

 

Is Your 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Rare?

Short answer: yes. Only 52,000 were minted, and roughly 10,000 survive today. That’s a survival rate of about 19.23%, meaning four out of five original coins are gone forever. Even a beat-up, low-grade example is genuinely scarce. If yours has any detail left at all, you’re holding something collectors actively want.

To find out where your coin stands, check it easily with our Coin Identifier and Value App.

 

Key Features Of The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

Knowing what to look for on this coin helps you spot fakes and understand why certain details drive premiums. Here’s a quick breakdown of both sides.

The Obverse Of The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

Liberty strides forward through a gateway, barefoot in a flowing gown. She holds a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her right. “LIBERTY” arcs across the top, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears on the wall to either side of her.

Look down at the pedestal beneath her feet — that’s where the date sits. The designer’s initial “M” is above and to the right of the date. One thing that always gets attention: the 1916 Type 1 design shows Liberty’s partially exposed right breast. That detail sparked public controversy and was covered up starting in 1917.

The Reverse Of The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

Flip it over and you’ll see an eagle in flight, headed right with wings outstretched. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appear above, with “QUARTER DOLLAR” below.

Here’s the cherrypicking detail: on the Type 1 design, thirteen stars appear alongside the eagle — seven left, six right — with none beneath it. That star arrangement is how you distinguish the 1916 from later Type 2 issues at a glance.

Other Features Of The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

The coin measures 24.3mm in diameter, weighs 6.25 grams, and was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. No mint mark appears on any 1916 issue — they were all struck at Philadelphia. Most 1916 examples show full or nearly full head detail, a quality that later dates in the series often lack due to die wear.

Also Read: Top 30 Most Valuable State Quarter Coins Worth Money List

 

1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

Every single 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter came from Philadelphia. Total mintage: 52,000 coins, none with a mint mark.

Of those 52,000, roughly 10,000 are believed to survive — a survival rate of approximately 19.23%. Put another way, if you lined up five original 1916 quarters, four of them no longer exist. That surviving pool of 10,000 coins is spread across all grades, scattered among collectors, dealers, auction houses, and private holdings worldwide. It’s a remarkably thin supply. Even well-worn examples in lower grades attract strong bidding because there just aren’t enough to go around.

Also Read: Top 20 Most Valuable Bicentennial Quarter Worth Money List

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Value

Your coin’s value comes down to three things: grade, variety, and strike quality. That sounds simple, but nailing down an accurate number can be tricky with so many variables in play.

You don’t have to guess. Get a quick, reliable estimate in seconds with our Coin Identifier and Value App.

 

1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Value Guides

There are two ways to collect this coin, and knowing which you have is step one for getting an accurate value.

• 1916 No Mint Mark Standing Liberty Quarter

All 1916 Standing Liberty Quarters came from Philadelphia — no mint mark on any genuine example. The big distinction collectors care about is the Full Head (FH) designation. That’s awarded when Liberty’s hair cords and cap details are fully defined. Sharp strikes weren’t guaranteed during production, so FH examples are noticeably scarcer and carry a premium at every grade level.

 

1916 No Mint Mark Standing Liberty Quarter Value

Did you know this coin was only struck during the last two weeks of December 1916? That’s it. Total mintage: 52,000 coins — the lowest of any issue in the entire Standing Liberty quarter series.

Nobody announced the new design to the public, so nearly every coin went straight into circulation. That’s why high-grade survivors are so tough to find today.

One thing to check on yours: look closely at Liberty’s head. Not all 1916 quarters have a fully struck head detail. Coins earning the Full Head (FH) designation are scarcer than standard strikes and always trade at a premium. We think the FH distinction is one of the most underappreciated factors when pricing this coin.

The record sale? An MS-67 graded example sold for $195,500 at a Bowers & Merena auction in November 2010.

Auction prices for this coin have moved around over the years, reflecting steady collector demand across market cycles.

Trading volume shifts month to month, but activity stays consistent throughout the year.

Also Read: 22 Rare Quarter Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Error List

No major errors have been documented specifically on the 1916 issue. But the broader Standing Liberty series has several known error types, and collectors actively hunt for them. If any of these turned up on a 1916 example, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime find.

1. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Double Die Error

A doubled die happens when the working die gets struck more than once during production, with each impression landing at a slightly different angle. You’ll see a shadow or secondary image in the lettering, numbers, or design elements. On Standing Liberty Quarters, check the date, inscriptions, and Liberty’s facial features. These are rare but well-documented across the series.

2. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Off-Center Strike

This one’s easy to spot. Part of the design is missing because the planchet wasn’t centered under the dies when struck. The more dramatic the offset, the more collectors will pay — but only if the date is still visible. On an early Type 1 issue like the 1916, an off-center strike would be extremely collectible.

3. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Error

A broadstrike happens when the coin is struck without the retaining collar that normally shapes the edge and controls the diameter. The metal spreads outward freely, leaving you with an oversized coin with a flat, unformed rim. No broadstrike errors are currently documented on the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter — but if one ever surfaces, it would be a world-class rarity combining a key date with a major mint error.

 

Where To Sell Your 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

When it comes to selling your 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, choosing the right platform can make a real difference in the final price you receive. We’ve put together a detailed breakdown of the Best Places To Sell Coins Online — including the pros and cons of each — so you can make a confident, well-informed decision.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)  

 

FAQ About The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter         

1. What is the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

It’s a silver 25-cent coin struck at Philadelphia in the last two weeks of December 1916. Designed by Hermon A. MacNeil, it replaced the Barber quarter. Only 52,000 were made, making it one of the rarest coins in American numismatics.

2. How much is a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter worth?

It depends on condition and variety. A standard No Mint Mark example averages around $4,296 in Good grade and approximately $24,300 in Mint State. The Full Head (FH) variety averages $1,763 in Good and can reach around $32,350 in MS grade. The top auction result hit $195,500 for an MS-67 example.

3. What does “Full Head” mean on a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

Full Head (FH) is a strike quality designation, not a separate variety. It’s awarded when Liberty’s hair cords and cap details are fully and clearly defined. Sharp strikes were inconsistent during production, so FH examples are scarcer and always command a premium at every grade level.

4. How rare is the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

Very. Of the original 52,000 coins minted, only about 10,000 survive — a survival rate of approximately 19.23%. Four out of every five original coins are gone. Even low-grade survivors are considered scarce.

5. Does the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter have a mint mark?

No. All were struck at Philadelphia, which didn’t use a mint mark at that time. If you see a “D” or “S” on a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, be very suspicious — no such coins were officially produced.

6. Why was the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter design controversial?

The original Type 1 design showed Liberty’s partially exposed right breast. That caused a public uproar, and the design was modified in 1917 to cover Liberty with a coat of mail. The 1916 issue keeps the original Type 1 design, making it historically distinct from every later Standing Liberty quarter.

7. What are the known error types for Standing Liberty Quarters?

No major errors are documented specifically for the 1916 issue. The broader series includes doubled die errors, off-center strikes, and broadstrikes. Any of those on a 1916 coin would be exceptionally rare.

8. What is the highest price ever paid for a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

$195,500, achieved by an MS-67 graded example at a Bowers & Merena auction in November 2010. A second MS-67 sold for $50,400, and an MS-66 realized $135,125.

9. What should I look for when grading a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

Focus on overall surface wear, the sharpness of Liberty’s head detail, and how crisp the design elements are on both sides. The head strike matters most — coins with a complete Full Head designation are significantly scarcer. For any higher-grade example, professional grading by a recognized service is strongly recommended.

10. Where can I find the current value of my 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter?

Published price guides and auction records are a good starting point, but values shift with the market. For a quick estimate tailored to your specific coin, use our Coin Identifier and Value App to get an up-to-date assessment in seconds.