1921 Quarter Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, No Mint Mark Worth

If you’ve come across a 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter, you might be holding something more valuable than it appears. The 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter value is notably high compared to most early 20th-century coins — and for good reason.

With a mintage of just 1.916 million pieces, the 1921 quarter is considered a semi-key issue across all grades. That low production number, combined with its 90% silver composition, makes it a standout in any collection.

Based on current market data, a standard No Mint Mark example ranges from around $164 in Good condition up to $2,726 in MS grade, while the coveted Full Head (FH) variety — known for its sharply struck details on Liberty’s helmet — commands even more, from $194 to over $6,451.

Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or just curious about that old quarter you found, understanding what drives its value is a great place to start.

 

1921 Quarter Value By Variety

The table below breaks down the 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter value by type and grade, from well-worn examples to near-perfect mint state coins.

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 1921 Quarter Worth Money

The chart above tracks the top 10 auction results for the 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter from 2008 to the present, with realized prices ranging from $2,400 at the low end to $69,000 at the top. The gap between these figures is not arbitrary — it reflects the direct relationship between numeric grade and market value that defines the certified coin market.

The record price of $69,000 belongs to a specimen graded PCGS MS67FH, realized in a 2012 Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction. The MS67 designation places the coin at the absolute top of the known population for this date, and the Full Head (FH) attribution confirms a complete, sharply struck obverse — a combination that is exceptionally rare for the 1921 issue. The next entry on the chart, a grade-67 example that realized $6,463, demonstrates just how much premium the top-pop position commands over coins of nominally similar grade.

The price spread also reflects the scarcity of high-grade survivors. PCGS estimates approximately 10,000 examples of the 1921 quarter exist with verifiable dates, with most survivors in lower circulated grades. Fewer than 500 Full Head examples are believed to exist, meaning any FH-designated coin in Mint State represents a meaningful share of the entire surviving population. This supply constraint is what separates the 1921 from coins with comparable mintages in the broader Standing Liberty series.

The 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter was struck during a pronounced post-WWI recession that suppressed coin production across the U.S. Mint, resulting in a mintage of just 1,916,000 pieces. Beyond low original output, the coin’s design contributed to further attrition: prior to 1925, the date was positioned at the top of the obverse pedestal, an exposed location that caused it to wear away quickly in circulation, rendering the majority of surviving examples effectively undatable and therefore unattributable.

For collectors, the data in this chart carries a practical implication. Each full grade point in the MS60–MS67 range represents a meaningful jump in both rarity and price. Professional grading by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended for any 1921 quarter that appears AU-58 or better, or that might qualify for the Full Head designation, as the difference between a standard strike and an FH-attributed coin at the same grade level can be substantial.

 

History of the 1921 Quarter

The Standing Liberty quarter was struck at the Philadelphia Mint from 1916 to 1930, with the exception of 1922, when no quarters were struck at any mint. The series emerged from a broader movement to modernize American coinage. By the turn of the 20th century, dissatisfaction with the 1892 Barber designs on dimes, quarters, and half dollars was growing, with critics viewing the designs as outdated and derivative compared to more artistically ambitious pieces like Saint-Gaudens’ $20 Double Eagle.

The commission went to sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil. His accepted obverse depicts Liberty facing toward the viewer’s right — in the direction of the European war — her shield also facing that way, holding an olive branch as she strides through a gate inscribed “In God We Trust.”

The design went through two significant revisions: the original 1916 Type 1 obverse showed Liberty with an exposed breast, which drew public objection. MacNeil responded not by adding drapery but by covering Liberty’s chest in chain mail. A second revision came in 1925, when the date was recessed into the coin to slow its wear in circulation.

The 1921 issue occupies a specific place within the series. The United States Mint was primarily occupied with striking tens of millions of silver dollars under provisions of the Pittman Act of 1918, which had authorized the melting of 350 million silver dollars and required their replacement. That priority, combined with an early 1920s recession that reduced general coin demand, pushed quarter production at Philadelphia to just 1,916,000 pieces. No quarters were struck at Denver or San Francisco in 1921.

The relatively low mintage of the 1921 issue may account for the fact that mint state survivors are usually well-struck — a contrast to many other dates in the series known for striking weakness. However, the coin presents its own technical challenge: the date digits on the 1921 show wear along their bottom rather than the top, which is atypical for the series and has led some researchers to suggest a minor design modification was made that year.

Of the original 1,916,000 coins struck, approximately 10,000 are believed to survive today, with around 250 known in uncirculated grades and approximately 50 with a Full Head designation. The Full Head designation requires complete detail in three specific areas: the hairline at Liberty’s forehead, three distinct leaf sprigs in her hair, and a visible ear indentation — features that are absent on the majority of surviving examples.

No Standing Liberty quarters were minted in 1922, as excess circulated coinage from 1916–1920 combined with the 1921 economic downturn had reduced demand. The 1921 thus stands as the final issue before a one-year production gap, adding further historical weight to its place in the series.

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

 

Is Your 1921 Quarter Rare?

Rarity is one of the most important factors in determining what your 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter is truly worth — and the CoinValueChecker App gives you instant access to real-time rarity rankings, grade-based valuations, and auction data, so you always know exactly where your coin stands in the market.

 

Key Features of the 1921 Quarter

The 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter was designed by sculptor Hermon A. MacNeil and struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The coin measures 24.3mm in diameter, weighs 6.25 grams, and was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver content. Its edge is reeded. The combination of low original mintage and silver composition has made surviving examples particularly significant to collectors.

The Obverse of the 1921 Quarter

The obverse features Liberty striding forward through a gateway, holding a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her right — symbolizing readiness for defense while preferring peace. After several design revisions, the Standing Liberty depicts a warrior-like Lady Liberty wearing chain mail on her chest.

MacNeil’s Liberty faces to the viewer’s right, her shield raised in the same direction, while the gate behind her is inscribed “In God We Trust.” The date appears at the base of the pedestal beneath Liberty’s feet, and MacNeil’s initial “M” is positioned to the right of her foot.

One detail collectors pay close attention to is the strike quality on Liberty’s head. A well-struck example will show three distinct leaf sprigs in her hair, a clear hairline at the forehead, and a visible ear — together referred to as a Full Head strike. On the 1921, this level of detail is far less common than on most other dates in the series, making Full Head examples considerably harder to find and more sought after.

The Reverse of the 1921 Quarter

The reverse features an eagle in flight with wings spread. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs around the top, “QUARTER DOLLAR” appears at the bottom, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is positioned above the eagle. In the Type 2 reverse configuration used on the 1921 issue, the eagle is positioned higher and more centered, with three stars placed below and five to each side. No mint mark appears, as the coin was struck exclusively at Philadelphia.

The eagle’s breast feathers and the leading edges of its wings are the first areas to show wear in circulation. On well-preserved examples, fine feather detail remains throughout and the overall design retains its intended depth and sharpness.

Other Features of the 1921 Quarter

Strike quality on the 1921 varies considerably across surviving examples. A coin may show strong head detail but a weak date, or sharp feathers on the reverse alongside a softly struck obverse — no single feature alone tells the full story.

Surface condition also matters: many specimens have been improperly cleaned over the years, which destroys natural luster and reduces value. Coins with original surfaces and naturally developed toning are the most desirable. When evaluating a 1921 quarter, strike, date clarity, head detail, and surface preservation all need to be considered together.

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

 

1921 Quarter Mintage & Survival Data

The 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, with a total mintage of 1,916,000 pieces. Of that original output, PCGS estimates approximately 10,000 examples survive today with verifiable dates — a survival rate of just 0.52%, as shown in the chart above. That figure alone places the 1921 among the scarcest dateable issues in the Standing Liberty series.

The low survival count is not simply a product of the original mintage. Until 1925, the date on the Standing Liberty quarter was positioned atop the pedestal in an exposed location, causing it to wear away quickly in circulation. This means a significant number of 1921 quarters likely still exist in some form, but without a readable date they cannot be attributed and hold no premium beyond their silver melt value.

Of the 10,000 survivors with identifiable dates, only around 250 are known in uncirculated grades, with approximately 50 Full Head examples confirmed. The gap between the 1,916,000 struck and the 10,000 that remain attributable today is what makes the 1921 quarter a genuine rarity — not just on paper, but in the actual collector market.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1921 Quarter Value

Three things determine what your 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter is worth: the clarity of the date, the overall condition, and whether Liberty’s head shows full strike detail. Check those three points, and you’ll have a solid read on where your coin stands.

Not sure how to assess them? The CoinValueChecker App walks you through each factor and gives you an instant, accurate valuation — no guesswork needed.

 

1921 Quarter Value Guides

The 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter was struck at only one mint, making it straightforward to categorize — there is just one variety to know.

• 1921 No Mint Mark Quarter

All 1,916,000 Standing Liberty quarters dated 1921 were produced by the Philadelphia Mint. Philadelphia did not use a mint mark during the Standing Liberty series, so the absence of any mark on the coin is itself confirmation of its origin. The 1921 is considered a semi-key issue in all grades, meaning it carries collector value even in heavily worn condition. Within this single variety, strike quality plays a significant role in determining worth.

Examples that show complete helmet detail on Liberty’s head — known as Full Head (FH) strikes — are far scarcer than standard examples and can be worth up to $100,000, making the difference between a standard strike and a Full Head one of the most important distinctions a collector can make when evaluating this coin.

 

1921 No Mint Mark Quarter Valve

The 1921 No Mint Mark is the only quarter issued that year, and it occupies a distinct position in the Standing Liberty series — not as a headline rarity like the 1916, but as a date that commands serious money at every grade level.

Entry prices for a circulated example in Fine-12 condition run around $375, climbing to $800 in XF40. Once you move into uncirculated territory, the numbers rise more steeply. An MS60 example starts above $1,500, while a Gem MS65 runs around $2,675.

Where the 1921 really separates itself from most other dates in the series is strike quality. The 1921 is notorious for strike weakness, making Full Head examples — those showing three distinct leaves in Liberty’s hair, a complete helmet outline, and a visible ear — genuinely scarce, with perhaps fewer than 500 known to exist.

That scarcity has a direct impact on price. A 1921 in MS65FH sells for around $7,750, and the gap only widens at higher grades. The auction record belongs to an MS67FH example that realized $69,000 at a 2012 Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale — a figure that reflects just how few coins of that quality exist.

The auction history below shows how realized prices have moved across different grades over time.

Beyond the top sales, the market activity section further down gives you a broader sense of how actively this date trades across all grade levels.

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

 

Rare 1921 Quarter Error List

Error coins from the 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter are not widely documented as a standalone category, which is itself telling. With only 1,916,000 pieces struck and a survival rate under 1%, confirmed mint errors from this date are genuinely scarce. That said, several error types have been observed on 1921 quarters, and any verified example carries meaningful value on top of the already-significant base price of the date itself.

1. 1921 Quarter Weak Strike Error

On the majority of Standing Liberty quarters, the dies were spaced slightly too far apart to bring up all of the design details to full sharpness — often leaving the very high details on the head of Miss Liberty indistinct. On the 1921 specifically, this issue is amplified by the coin’s low mintage and the high-relief nature of MacNeil’s design.

A weak strike affects the helmet detail on Liberty’s head first, followed by the shield rivets and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse. A weakly struck MS-64 may trade for $400–$600, while an MS-64 Full Head of the same date could reach $2,000–$5,000 — a gap that reflects just how much strike quality matters on this date.

For the 1921, where Full Head examples are already among the scarcest in the series, a coin with notable striking weakness across multiple design areas occupies the lower end of the value range regardless of its technical grade.

2. 1921 Quarter Off-Center Strike Error

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking, leaving a blank crescent of unstruck metal on one side and a corresponding shift in the design. On the 1921 quarter, this error is particularly consequential because the date sits near the base of the obverse — an off-center shift downward can partially or fully remove the date, leaving the coin unattributable.

Examples that retain a clear, complete date despite the misalignment are significantly more valuable than those where the date is lost. A 1921 off-center strike with a readable date and a visible 10–20% offset is a genuine rarity, and such pieces can sell well into four figures depending on the degree of shift and overall preservation.

3. 1921 Quarter Lamination Error

Lamination errors occur when internal impurities or stress fractures within the planchet cause the metal to peel, flake, or separate — producing irregular surface defects that originate in the coin’s metal before or during the striking process. These are distinguished from post-mint damage by the way the metal separates in layers, often exposing a rough, striated surface beneath.

On a 90% silver coin like the 1921 quarter, lamination errors are uncommon, making any confirmed example doubly notable. Larger flaws that affect a visible portion of the coin’s surface command stronger premiums than minor surface splits, particularly when the underlying design — including the date and Liberty’s head — remains legible beneath the affected area.

4. 1921 Quarter Die Crack Error

Die cracks appear as raised lines on a coin’s surface, caused when the die develops fractures after repeated striking pressure. They are among the most frequently encountered errors and can range from minor to dramatic, with common locations including along the rim, through the date, or across the portrait.

On the 1921 quarter, die cracks are the most commonly encountered error type — a small production run with limited die changes placed heavier-than-normal wear on individual working dies. Minor cracks carry a modest premium over standard examples, but more dramatic examples running through key design elements such as Liberty’s figure, the date, or the eagle are of greater collector interest.

5. 1921 Quarter Rim Cud Error

A rim cud is a sub-category of die break in which cracks meet or extend to the rim, causing the metal within the borders of the crack to break away from the die entirely. The result on the struck coin is a large, raised irregular blob of metal — typically found at the rim where design stress points are highest.

On the 1921 quarter, a rim cud is among the most visually dramatic errors possible. Because the coin’s design runs close to the rim on both obverse and reverse, a cud that obliterates part of the inscription or encroaches on Liberty’s figure or the eagle represents a significant and rare production anomaly. The combination of an already-scarce date and a prominent rim cud makes such a piece a strong candidate for specialist interest, with value dependent on the size, location, and overall condition of the affected coin.

 

Where to Sell Your 1921 Quarter?

After determining what your coins are worth, you’re probably wondering about convenient online selling options. I’ve researched and compiled a guide to the best platforms, outlining their services, pros, and cons.

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

 

1921 Quarter Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 1921 Quarter

1. How much is a 1921 Quarter worth?

Values start at about $195 for coins in Very Good-8 grade and climb steeply from there based on condition and strike quality. A Full Head example in the same grade will carry a meaningfully higher premium, and top-tier mint state examples have realized as much as $69,000 at auction.

2. Is a 1921 Quarter rare?

Yes. The 1921 is considered a standalone key date — no quarters were minted in Denver or San Francisco that year, and the Philadelphia mintage of 1.9 million was not heavily saved. Of those, only around 10,000 are believed to survive with a readable date today.

3. What does Full Head mean on a 1921 Quarter?

A Full Head designation requires the three leaves on Liberty’s head and the complete hairline behind her eye to show clearly. On the 1921, this level of detail is exceptionally hard to find — less than 1% of surviving specimens exhibit Full Head detail, making FH examples among the most sought-after in the entire Standing Liberty series.

4. Why did the 1921 Quarter have such a low mintage?

There was a slight recession in the early 1920s that reduced the need for many coins to be struck, but the United States Mint was also primarily concerned with striking tens of millions of silver dollars under provisions of the Pittman Act of 1918, which authorized the melting of 350 million silver dollars and the replacement of the coins melted.

5. Why do so many 1921 Quarters have worn or missing dates?

Before 1925, the die for the Standing Liberty Quarter produced a very weak date, causing the slightest circulated coins to have very worn dates. The date was positioned on an exposed area of the pedestal, meaning it was one of the first details to disappear with circulation wear. Without a readable date, a coin cannot be attributed to the 1921 issue and holds no collector premium beyond its silver melt value.

6. Is a 1921 Quarter made of silver?

Yes. The composition of these coins is 90% silver and 10% copper, and each contains .18084 troy ounces of silver. Even a heavily worn example retains meaningful intrinsic value based on its silver content alone, though collector value far exceeds melt value on any attributable 1921 quarter.

7. Where was the 1921 Quarter minted?

The Denver and San Francisco Mints did not produce Standing Liberty quarters in 1921. All 1,916,000 pieces were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark on the Standing Liberty series — so the absence of a mint mark on a 1921 quarter is expected and normal.

8. What makes a 1921 Quarter more valuable than other Standing Liberty dates?

Several factors converge on the 1921: a low original mintage, a survival rate under 1%, the pre-1925 exposed date that caused widespread attrition, and striking characteristics that make high-grade examples difficult to find. For key dates like the 1921, even low-grade examples carry strong premiums, and the gap between a standard strike and a Full Head example is among the widest of any date in the series.

9. How can I tell if my 1921 Quarter has a Full Head strike?

Look at Liberty’s helmet under good lighting. Key points to check include the fullness of the head, the sharpness of the date particularly at the top, the sharpness of the rivets on Liberty’s shield, and the sharpness of the eagle’s breast on the reverse. All three leaf sprigs in her hair, a clear hairline at the forehead, and a visible ear must be present for a coin to qualify as Full Head.

10. Should I clean my 1921 Quarter before selling it?

No. Many specimens have been improperly cleaned over the years, destroying their natural luster and significantly reducing their value. Coins with original mint luster and natural toning that develops over decades of proper storage are the most desirable. Cleaning a coin — even with good intentions — is one of the most common ways collectors inadvertently reduce its market value.