By Charles Morgan for CoinWeek ….
On August 31, 2025, GreatCollections will sell an attractive PCGS MS66FH 1917-S Standing Liberty Quarter. The coin is one of 106 graded at that level with just 51 graded finer, but unlike many coins at this grade level, this example is blast white on both sides and presents the Type Set collector with an attractive gem to fill an important hole in their collection.
The Standing Liberty Quarter replaced the Barber Quarter and was minted from 1917 to 1930. The coin’s designer, sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, envisioned a graceful and artistic representation of Liberty, but his vision clashed with the practical realities of the U.S. Mint’s coining process. This tension between artist and engraver led to two distinct versions of the coin’s design.
The Type 1, or “No Stars Below Eagle” variety, was struck in late 1916 and 1917. This initial design featured a partially nude Liberty and a low-flying eagle on the reverse. The U.S. Mint made several unauthorized changes to MacNeil’s original design, which left him so displeased that he successfully lobbied for the chance to revise the coin. His updated Type 2 design, however, included changes not present in his initial model and ultimately replaced the Type 1. Both versions circulated around the same time, and collectors hoarded the 1916 and 1917 issues, much as they did with the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent and the 1883 “No Cents” Liberty Head Nickel.
Despite its short-lived run, the Type 1 coin is highly sought after by collectors, largely due to its depiction of Liberty and the circumstances of its creation. The obverse shows Liberty standing in a classical-style opening, holding a shield and an olive branch. A key feature of the design is Liberty’s gown, which drapes loosely to reveal her right breast and leg—a depiction that was considered daring at the time. The reverse features a soaring eagle, which the Mint had lowered from MacNeil’s original design, balancing the surrounding text.
Adding to the coin’s collectibility is the “Full Head” (FH) designation. Due to the era’s minting technology, many Standing Liberty Quarters were struck with weak details on Liberty’s head. The FH designation is given to coins that display the complete hair and facial features, and these coins often command a significant premium.
Bidding for the coin is currently underway on the GreatCollections website, with the current high bid at $2,150. The auction is scheduled to end on September 14, 2025, at 4:50 PM Pacific Time.
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GreatCollections has offered high-quality examples of thousands of collector coins over the years, including many top population pieces. To search through GreatCollection’s archive of over 600,000 certified coins and notes that the company has sold, please visit the GreatCollections Auction Archives.
Love the Standing Liberty quarters.
Wow! Gorgeous coin anyone would love to have in their collection!
This is a beautiful coin! Although I can’t afford this particular coin I appreciate the clear photos that show every detail of the coin.
“Daring,” indeed, for the time. I find the dot-dot-dash-dot-dot-dash…forming the circumference on the obverse an interesting detail.
That’s the most beauty version of that coin I’ve ever seen. I’d sure love to have one like it in my collection!