1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter Value: What Is It Worth?
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The 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $40 in worn condition to over $25,000 in pristine mint state. This San Francisco-minted coin is a favorite among collectors because of its beautiful design and the scarcity of well-preserved specimens from the early 20th century.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $40 – $55 |
| Fine (F-12) | $110 – $150 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $350 – $475 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| MS-65 Full Head | $12,000+ |
Understanding the Rarity of the 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter
If you have just discovered an old quarter featuring a standing Lady Liberty, you might be holding a small fortune. The 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter was minted at the San Francisco Mint during a pivotal era in American coinage. With a mintage of only 1,836,000, it is significantly rarer than its Philadelphia counterpart from the same year. This low mintage, combined with the fact that many of these coins were heavily circulated, makes finding one in high grade a dream for many numismatists.
The design itself, created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, is considered one of the most beautiful in U.S. history. However, it had a technical flaw: the date was raised and prone to wearing off quickly. If you can clearly see the date “1919” and a small “S” mint mark near the star on the left of the date, you should use a top coin identifier and value app to confirm your find. Many people overlook these treasures because they appear “slick” or worn, but for the 1919-S, even a worn coin brings a premium price.
When you are assessing your collection, using a reliable tool like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a common local find and a valuable West Coast rarity. Most 1919-S quarters found in family jars are in “Good” to “Very Good” condition. In these lower grades, the coin still commands a price that far exceeds its face value or silver melt content. Because of the San Francisco mint’s history of lower mintage numbers for this series, demand almost always outstrips supply among serious collectors.
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The Significance of the S Mint Mark and Production Quality
The “S” mint mark on the 1919 quarter is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. You will see it just to the left of the date, next to the star. This small letter makes a massive difference in market value compared to coins without a mint mark (Philadelphia). The San Francisco Mint was known during this time for producing coins with slightly different strike characteristics. In many cases, the 1919-S suffered from “mushy” strikes, meaning the fine details of Liberty’s shield and head weren’t always sharp.
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Because of these strike issues, a 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter with “Full Head” (FH) details is extremely rare and valuable. A “Full Head” designation means that Lady Liberty’s hair, hairline, and ear are crisp and fully visible. If you are lucky enough to find a specimen with these features, the 1919-S MS quarter value details suggest that the price can skyrocket into the tens of thousands of dollars.
For everyday Americans, identifying these nuances can be difficult. This is where professional grading or high-quality imaging apps come into play. A coin that looks “shiny” to the naked eye might actually be “cleaned,” which reduces value. Conversely, a dark, toned coin might be an original mint state treasure. Using CoinKnow can provide a baseline for your coin’s condition before you spend money on professional grading fees through services like PCGS or NGC.
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| Mint Mark | Mintage | Average Circulated Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1919 (Philadelphia) | 11,324,000 | $15 – $30 |
| 1919-D (Denver) | 1,944,000 | $45 – $65 |
| 1919-S (San Francisco) | 1,836,000 | $40 – $60 |
Determining Value Based on Grade and Wear
The value of your 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter is almost entirely dependent on its grade. Numismatists use a 70-point scale to determine condition. For the average person, we can simplify this into categories like Good, Fine, and Uncirculated. A “Good” condition coin will have a flat Lady Liberty with just the outline of her body visible, while the date should be readable but faint. Even in this state, the coin is a high-value item because of its scarcity.
As you move up to “Fine” or “Very Fine,” you start to see the lines in Liberty’s gown and the details on her shield. At this level, the price doubles or triples. The most significant jump occurs when a coin reaches “About Uncirculated” or “Mint State.” At these levels, the original luster—the frosty sheen from the minting process—is still present. You should check the 1919-S quarter price fluctuations and market info to see how recent auctions have treated these high-grade rarities.
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It is vital to never clean your coins. Many people think they are helping by scrubbing off dirt or tarnish, but this creates micro-scratches that destroy the coin’s collectible value. If you find a 1919-S and it looks dirty, leave it exactly as it is. Collectors prefer “original skin” or natural patina over a shiny, scrubbed surface. Using CoinKnow‘s community features can also give you a second opinion on whether your coin shows signs of past cleaning or handling.
Technical Specs: What Makes This Coin Special?
The Standing Liberty Quarter is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1919, this meant the coin had a significant intrinsic value, but today, its value as a collectible far exceeds the few dollars worth of silver it contains. The coin weighs 6.25 grams and has a diameter of 24.3 mm. The 1919-S belongs to the “Type 2” design, which features Lady Liberty with a chain-mail vest (covering her chest, which was exposed in the 1916 and early 1917 versions) and three stars below the eagle on the reverse.
The reverse of the coin depicts an eagle in flight. In high grades, you should look for feathers on the eagle’s breast and wings. If these are sharp and clear, you are looking at a premium coin. The San Francisco mint mark “S” is usually small and can sometimes be clogged with grease from the original minting machinery. If you are struggling to see it, a magnifying glass or a high-resolution photo from a coin app is essential.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Weight | 6.25 Grams |
| Mint Facility | San Francisco (S) |
| Diameter | 24.3 Millimeters |
Where to Sell Your 1919-S Quarter for Maximum Profit
Once you have identified your coin as a genuine 1919-S, the next step is determining the best way to sell it. For low-grade coins (G-4 to F-12), local coin shops or reputable eBay sellers are often the easiest route. These coins are common enough that most dealers will pay a fair wholesale price. However, if your coin appears to be in Extremely Fine or Mint State condition, you should avoid the local pawn shop and look into major numismatic auction houses.
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Houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers specialize in high-value American coins. A 1919-S in MS-65 condition can sell for enough to buy a new car, so getting it authenticated and graded by PCGS or NGC is a mandatory step for high-end sales. Before you commit to a sale, ensure you have tracked the market value over time. Rare coins often fluctuate based on economic trends and collector interest.
Always remember to research. Knowledge is your best tool when dealing with precious coins. By comparing your coin to known examples and using digital tools to verify the strike and mint mark, you protect yourself from being underpaid. The 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter remains a staple of American history and a high-point for any silver collection.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1919 Standing Liberty Quarter?
A: The mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. Look just to the left of the date “1919.” You will see two stars on the left; the “S” or “D” mint mark sits just above the date area between the wall and Lady Liberty’s foot. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia.
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Q: Why is the “Full Head” designation so important for the 1919-S?
A: The “Full Head” (FH) designation indicates a perfect strike where all the details of Liberty’s helmet/hair are visible. Because the San Francisco mint often had weak strikes in 1919, very few coins were produced with full detail. An FH coin can be worth 5 to 10 times more than a standard strike of the same grade.
Q: Is a 1919-S quarter made of real silver?
A: Yes, all 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarters are made of 90% silver. This means even if the coin is so worn that the date is barely visible, it still has “junk silver” value based on the current spot price of silver, though the 1919-S is almost always worth much more as a collectible.
Q: What should I do if the date on my 1919-S is worn off?
A: Unfortunately, Standing Liberty Quarters are famous for “dying dates.” If the date is completely gone, the coin is generally only worth its silver melt value (around $5-$8 depending on the market). However, collectors can sometimes identify the year by design subtypes, but “dateless” quarters rarely command a premium.
