SILVER COIN FIELD GUIDE
Standing Liberty Quarter
Start with the readable date: early dates wear away easily. 1916 is the key; several later issues also merit attention.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1916–1930
- Composition
- 90% silver
- Standard gross weight
- 6.25 g
- Fine silver per coin
- 0.1808 troy oz
- Face value
- $0.25
A missing date is not evidence of a rare date
A heavily worn Standing Liberty quarter can lose the readable date. Do not fill that gap with a valuable year because the remaining design looks similar.
When researching 1927-S, separate ordinary examples from coins with the Full Head designation. Strike completeness and wear are different observations, and both matter to a fair comparison.
Where to look. The mintmark is left of the date; the M on the right is the designer’s initial. The recessed date begins in 1925.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Key date. An important scarce issue in this series; grade and authenticity still matter.
Better date. A date or issue that merits its own comparison, not an automatic high-value finding.
Variety. A specific attributed design or die difference, not every coin with that year.
- Key date
1916
The first-year Philadelphia issue is the series key.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Better date
1921 · 1923-S · 1927-S
Semi-keys; 1927-S with Full Head is a separate condition rarity.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Variety
1918/7-S
A specific overdate, not an ordinary 1918-S.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.1808 fine troy ounces of silver per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce silver quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
- PCGS key-date guide ↗
- PCGS mintmark location ↗
- PCGS recessed dates ↗
- 1921 · 1923-S · 1927-S — reference ↗
- NGC silver melt-value reference ↗
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.