Standing Liberty Quarter: Beauty and Controversy

Overview and Historical Context

The Standing Liberty Quarter was part of the 1916 coinage redesign that also brought the Mercury Dime and Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Unlike those long-running designs, the Standing Liberty Quarter had a short 14-year lifespan, ending in 1930 when it was replaced by the Washington Quarter.

Design Period: 1916-1930 (14 years)
Designer: Hermon A. MacNeil
Diameter: 24.3mm
Weight: 6.25 grams
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Edge: Reeded
Mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S)

The design replaced the Barber Quarter (1892-1916) and was itself replaced by the Washington Quarter in 1932 to commemorate George Washington's 200th birthday. The Standing Liberty's relatively brief run and design modifications make it particularly interesting to collectors.

The Artist: Hermon A. MacNeil

Background and Training

Hermon Atkins MacNeil (1866-1947) was an accomplished American sculptor trained in the Beaux-Arts tradition. He studied at the Art Students League, École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and worked as assistant to prominent sculptors including Philip Martiny.

Major Works

• Sculptures for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition
• McKinley Memorial in Columbus, Ohio
• Marquette Memorial in Chicago
• "The Sun Vow," depicting Native Americans (Brooklyn Museum)
• Numerous architectural sculptures for major buildings
• Later coin work: Various commemorative designs

Design Philosophy

MacNeil's approach combined classical ideals with American themes. He was particularly interested in allegorical figures that conveyed complex ideas through pose, attributes, and setting. His Standing Liberty Quarter shows this sophisticated symbolic approach.

Type 1 Design (1916-1917): The Controversy

The Original Design

MacNeil's original 1916 design showed Liberty standing in a gateway between two walls, her right breast exposed. She holds a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her extended right hand. Her pose is dynamic—stepping forward through the gateway.

Liberty's Appearance

• Exposed Breast: Liberty's right breast is bare, following classical sculptural traditions where goddesses and allegorical figures were often partially nude
• Flowing Drapery: Fabric drapes across her body and flows behind her, creating beautiful lines and suggesting movement
• Classical Beauty: Idealized features following Greco-Roman aesthetic ideals
• Youthful Figure: Liberty appears as a young woman, vigorous and purposeful
• Crown of Stars: Her head is adorned with a crown or wreath of stars

The Controversy

The exposed breast caused immediate controversy. While partial nudity was common in classical art and MacNeil followed respectable artistic traditions, American sensibilities in 1916-1917 were more conservative:

• Public outcry from some quarters about "indecency"
• Newspaper commentary, some mocking, some outraged
• Concern that such imagery was inappropriate for circulating currency
• Defenders noted it followed classical artistic conventions
• The controversy increased collector interest in the design

Production

• 1916: Only 52,000 Type 1 quarters struck—extremely low mintage
• 1917 Type 1: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco all struck Type 1 early in the year
• Mid-1917 Change: Design modified to Type 2 partway through 1917
• Collector Appeal: Type 1 coins, especially 1916, are major keys

Type 2 Design (1917-1930): The Modification

The Change

In response to controversy, the design was modified in 1917. Chainmail armor was added covering Liberty's previously exposed breast. This was the only major change—the rest of the design remained the same.

The Chainmail Addition

• Coverage: Chainmail now covers Liberty's torso where the breast was exposed
• Artistic Integration: The chainmail is well-executed—it doesn't look like an afterthought but fits the design
• Symbolic Shift: Where Type 1 showed peaceful Liberty, Type 2 shows Liberty prepared for defense (America entering WWI in 1917)
• Detail: Individual chain links are carefully rendered

Historical Timing

The modification coincided with America's entry into World War I in April 1917. Some numismatists suggest the chainmail was appropriate not just for modesty but to reflect the nation's wartime posture. Liberty went from peaceful to prepared.

Production 1917-1930

Type 2 became the standard for the rest of the series. Most Standing Liberty Quarters collectors encounter are Type 2. The modification created an interesting collecting challenge: complete sets need both types from 1917.

Obverse Design Details (Both Types)

Liberty's Pose and Attributes

• Standing Position: Liberty stands in contrapposto (classical stance with weight on one leg), creating natural, graceful posture
• The Shield: She holds a large shield in her left arm, decorated with stars and stripes. Symbolizes defense and protection.
• Olive Branch: Her right hand extends upward holding an olive branch, symbolizing peace and peaceful intentions
• Stepping Forward: She appears to be stepping through the gateway, suggesting action and purpose
• Barefoot: Classical artistic convention suggesting Liberty as goddess or ideal rather than ordinary person

The Gateway Setting

• Architectural Framework: Liberty stands between two walls or pillars, creating a gateway or portal
• Symbolism: The gateway represents passage from isolation to engagement with the world (appropriate as America debated WWI involvement)
• Depth: The architectural elements create three-dimensional space and frame Liberty dramatically
• Detail: The stonework of the walls is carefully textured

The Drapery

• Flowing Fabric: Liberty's garment and cloak flow behind her, suggesting wind and movement
• Classical Folds: The fabric follows Greek and Roman sculptural conventions
• Revealing Form: The drapery suggests the body beneath while maintaining artistic grace
• Dynamic Quality: The flowing fabric adds energy to the composition

The Legends and Date

• "LIBERTY": Above Liberty's head
• "IN GOD WE TRUST": On the inner ledge at the top left
• Date: At the bottom (problematic placement—wore quickly)
• Stars: On the walls and Liberty's crown, representing the states

Reverse Design: The Eagle in Flight

The Flying Eagle

• Dynamic Flight: Eagle shown in full flight, wings spread wide
• Powerful Presence: Despite small scale, the eagle appears majestic and strong
• Feather Detail: Individual wing and tail feathers carefully rendered
• Upward Motion: The eagle rises, suggesting ascent and aspiration
• Freedom Symbol: Flying eagle represents American freedom and power

The Stars

• Thirteen stars arranged around the eagle
• Represent the original thirteen colonies
• Create a celestial setting for the eagle's flight
• Add decorative elements without cluttering

The Legends

• "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA": Curves along the top
• "E PLURIBUS UNUM": Below the eagle
• "QUARTER DOLLAR": At the bottom
• Mint Mark: To the left of the date on obverse (unusual placement)

Artistic Qualities

• Movement: Both obverse and reverse show figures in motion—dynamic energy
• Vertical Emphasis: Rising eagle complements standing Liberty
• Thematic Unity: Both sides express American strength and idealism
• Sculptural Excellence: Fine modeling creates depth and realism

Design Problems and Date Recessing

The Date Wear Issue

The original design (1916-1924) placed the date on a raised area at the bottom of the obverse. This high point wore extremely quickly:

• Dates became illegible with minimal circulation
• Many Standing Liberty Quarters are "dateless" due to wear
• Even lightly circulated examples often show partial dates
• This practical flaw plagued the series

The 1925 Modification

In 1925, the design was modified again to address the date problem:

• Date was recessed into a depression at the bottom
• This protected the date from rapid wear
• 1925-1930 quarters usually have readable dates even when worn
• The modification made the coins more practical but didn't save the series from replacement in 1932

Full Head (FH) Designation

• Liberty's head details are another key grading point
• Well-struck coins show complete head detail including hair
• "Full Head" designation requires complete, unbroken detail
• FH examples command significant premiums
• Many coins were weakly struck even when new

Collecting Standing Liberty Quarters

Why Collect Them?

• Beautiful Design: Elegant, classical, artistically sophisticated
• Historical Interest: Type 1/Type 2 controversy, WWI era, date modifications
• Silver Content: 90% silver provides intrinsic value
• Short Series: Only 14 years makes complete set achievable
• Variety: Type 1 vs Type 2, recessed vs raised date, FH designation
• Challenge: Key dates and FH examples provide collecting goals

Key Dates and Rarities

• 1916: Lowest mintage of series (52,000 Type 1), major key—worth $5,000+ even in Good condition
• 1917 Type 1: All three mints (P, D, S) are semi-keys
• 1918/7-S: Famous overdate variety, highly sought
• 1919-D, 1919-S: Low mintages, scarce
• 1920-D, 1921: Semi-keys
• 1923-S: Low mintage key date
• 1926-S, 1927-S: Lower mintages

Common Dates

• Late 1920s Philadelphia issues (especially 1927-1930)
• 1929-1930 generally available in circulated grades
• Recessed date coins (1925-1930) easier to find with dates intact

Grading Considerations

• Obverse Wear Points:
  • Liberty's head (first to wear, key grading area)
  • Right knee and thigh
  • Shield and breast area
  • Date (on raised date versions)
• Reverse Wear Points:
  • Eagle's breast
  • Center of eagle's wings
  • Eagle's leg
• Full Head Indicators:
  • Complete detail in hair above forehead
  • Three visible leaves in Liberty's crown
  • Sharp detail on head and face

Collecting Strategies

1. Type Coin: One nice Type 2 example in VF-XF
2. Type Set: One each of Type 1 and Type 2 (expensive—1916 or 1917 Type 1 are pricey)
3. Date Set: One of each date, any mint or type
4. Complete Set: All dates, mints, and types (very challenging and expensive)
5. Short Set: 1925-1930 recessed dates (more affordable, dates intact)
6. Full Head Set: Pursue FH designation (advanced, expensive challenge)

Approximate Values

• Common dates, dateless: $5-10
• Common dates, readable date Good-VG: $10-20
• Common dates, Fine-VF: $25-50
• Common dates, XF: $75-150
• Common dates, AU: $150-250
• Common dates, MS-63: $200-350
• Common dates, MS-65 FH: $1,000-2,000+
• 1916 (key): $5,000+ in Good; $15,000+ in Fine; MS examples $50,000+
• 1917 Type 1: $40-100 in Good; $200-500 in VF

Historical and Cultural Context

World War I Era

The Standing Liberty Quarter debuted in 1916 as World War I raged. The Type 1 to Type 2 change occurred in 1917 as America entered the war. The chainmail addition symbolically reflected America's transition from neutral observer to armed participant.

The Roaring Twenties

Most Standing Liberty Quarters circulated during the 1920s boom years. The design's classical elegance aligned with the era's appreciation for refinement and sophistication, even as the economy roared.

Social Attitudes

The Type 1 controversy reveals early 20th-century American attitudes toward art, propriety, and public imagery. The debate between artistic freedom and social conservatism played out on a piece of money carried by millions.

End of the Series

The series ended in 1930, during the early Depression. When George Washington's 200th birthday approached in 1932, the bicentennial quarter replaced the Standing Liberty design. The short run makes these quarters special—they didn't have time to become commonplace or overly familiar.

Appreciating the Design

Artistic Excellence

• Sophisticated Composition: Architectural framing, dynamic pose, symbolic attributes
• Classical Mastery: MacNeil's Beaux-Arts training shows in every detail
• Sculptural Quality: Three-dimensional modeling creates depth and realism
• Symbolic Depth: Multiple layers of meaning in pose, attributes, setting
• Beauty: Simply one of America's most beautiful coin designs

What to Look For

• Liberty's graceful contrapposto stance
• Flowing drapery and its classical folds
• Shield decoration and detail
• Architectural gateway elements
• Head and hair detail (especially on FH examples)
• Eagle's feather work on reverse
• Overall balance and composition

Type 1 vs Type 2

If possible, compare both types to see the modification. The Type 1's classical purity contrasts with Type 2's armored preparedness. Both are beautiful in different ways—Type 1 more idealistic, Type 2 more realistic for a nation at war.

Legacy

Numismatic Importance

• Demonstrates the challenges of combining beauty with practicality
• Type 1/Type 2 distinction adds collecting interest
• Short series makes it special—every coin matters
• Design modifications show Mint adapting to practical problems

Cultural Impact

• Type 1 controversy became part of numismatic lore
• Design represents artistic sophistication in American coinage
• Reflects social attitudes of WWI-era America
• Stands as example of classical artistic traditions in American art

Enduring Appeal

Nearly a century after the last Standing Liberty Quarter was struck, these beautiful coins remain highly sought. They represent artistic excellence, historical significance, and the eternal tension between beauty and function in coin design. Whether collecting affordable late-date examples or pursuing the rare 1916, these quarters offer sophistication and elegance that few other coins can match.