1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter Value: What Is It Worth?

The 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $8 in heavily worn condition to over $350 in choice mint state. This beautiful silver coin, minted in Denver during the final years of the Roaring Twenties, remains a favorite for everyday Americans who stumble upon old family treasure.

Condition Grade	Estimated Market Value
Good (G-4)	$8.00 – $12.00
Fine (F-12)	$18.00 – $25.00
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$45.00 – $60.00
Uncirculated (MS-60+)	$150.00 – $900.00+

History and Significance of the 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter is widely considered one of the most artistic coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, it features Lady Liberty stepping through a gateway, holding a shield and an olive branch. By 1929, the design had undergone a few changes, most notably the “recessed date” adjustment made in 1925 to prevent the dates from wearing off too quickly.

If you have found one of these coins while cleaning out an old drawer, using a top coin identifier and value app can help you confirm the date and mint mark immediately. The 1929-D was struck at the Denver Mint, which produced just over 5 million of these quarters. While this isn’t the rarest date in the series, it was the last year the Denver Mint produced this design before the Great Depression and the eventual switch to the Washington Quarter in 1932.

Because these coins are 90% silver, they have “melt value” even if they are completely worn smooth. However, the collector value of a CoinKnow verified 1929-D often exceeds the raw silver price. It’s a piece of American history from the very year the stock market crashed, making it a poignant memento for many hobbyists.

How to Identify the Mint Mark and Design Features

Before you get excited about the price, you need to make sure you actually have a “D” mint mark coin. On Standing Liberty Quarters minted after 1917, the mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. Look just to the left of Lady Liberty’s feet, right above the star that sits near the rim. If you see a small “D,” it was made in Denver.

If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia. If there is an “S,” it was minted in San Francisco. Collectors often value Denver coins slightly differently than the other mints due to varying survival rates of high-quality examples. When checking 1929 quarter value data, you will notice that Denver strikes are often prized for their bold details compared to other branch mints.

The 1929-D is part of the Type 3 design. This version features stars below the eagle on the reverse and a chain-mail vest on Lady Liberty. For the layman, the most important thing to look for is the visibility of the date. If you can read “1929” clearly, your coin is already ahead of many “cull” coins that have been worn down by decades of commerce.

Grading Your 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter

Condition is the most critical factor in determining how much money a collector will pay for your coin. Professionals use a scale from 1 to 70. For a non-expert, the easiest way to estimate the grade is to look at the amount of detail remaining on Lady Liberty’s shield and the eagle’s wings. If the feathers on the eagle are distinct, you likely have a “Choice” coin.

If the coin looks shiny and brand new, as if it never spent a day in a pocket, it is considered “Mint State” (Uncirculated). These are the coins that reach the highest price points. Even a slight bit of wear on the high points—like the knee or the breast of Liberty—will drop the coin from Mint State down into the About Uncirculated (AU) category.

Grade Group	Visual Description	Estimated Price
Good to Very Good	Date is legible but rim is worn. Details are flat.	$8 – $15
Fine to Very Fine	Liberty’s drapery is visible; shield has a rim.	$18 – $35
About Uncirculated	Trace wear on knee; most original mint luster remains.	$75 – $110
Mint State 63	No wear; strong luster; some small marks or scratches.	$175 – $225

The “Full Head” (FH) Designation and Its Impact

If you want to know which 1929-D quarters sell for thousands of dollars, you need to learn about the “Full Head” designation. Because of the way these coins were struck, the detail on Lady Liberty’s head was often weak. Collectors pay a massive premium for coins where the three leaves in her hair and the ear hole are perfectly visible.

A standard 1929-D in MS65 grade might sell for $300, but the same coin with a “Full Head” (FH) designation could easily fetch $800 or more. This is why using a tool like CoinKnow is helpful for beginners; it helps you focus on these high-value details that aren’t obvious to the naked eye. Checking the 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter MS prices will show a clear gap between “Regular Strike” and “Full Head” specimens.

When inspecting your coin, use a magnifying glass. Look at the hairline of Liberty. Is there a clear line separating the hair from the helmet/cap? If the head looks like a smooth blob, it is not a Full Head. If every strand and detail is crisp, you might be holding a very valuable rarity.

Factors That Influence Market Value

While rarity and grade are the big players, other factors can influence what a dealer will offer you. “Eye appeal” is a subjective but important metric. A coin with beautiful “toning” (natural oxidation that creates rainbow colors) can sell for more than a plain white silver coin. Conversely, a coin with a large scratch across the face will be worth significantly less, regardless of its rarity.

Never clean your coins. This is the golden rule of coin collecting. You might think you are making it look better by scrubbing off 90 years of dirt, but you are actually stripping away the “mint luster” and leaving microscopic scratches. A “cleaned” coin can lose 50% to 70% of its collector value instantly. Collectors prefer a dirty, original coin over a shiny, scrubbed one every single time.

Market demand also fluctuates. Currently, early 20th-century silver is in high demand. Many Americans are looking to physical assets like silver quarters to hedge against inflation. This means that even the lowest-grade 1929-D will always have a base value tied to the price of silver, which you can track using CoinKnow to get the most up-to-date bullion rates.

Where to Sell Your 1929-D Quarter for the Best Price

If you decide to sell, you have several options. Local coin shops are the fastest way to get cash. They will typically offer you “wholesale” prices, which might be 60% to 80% of the actual retail value. This is fair because they have to cover overhead and make a profit. It is a great option for coins worth $10 to $50.

For coins that appear to be in high-end Mint State or have the Full Head designation, consider an auction house or a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC. A certified coin in a plastic “slab” often sells for much more on sites like eBay because buyers feel safe knowing the coin is authentic and accurately graded.

Before heading to a dealer, do your homework. Check recent “sold” listings rather than “asking” prices. Anyone can ask $1,000 for a quarter, but that doesn’t mean someone paid it. Looking at real transaction data is the only way to get a realistic expectation of what you will put in your pocket.

Selling Venue	Pros	Cons
Local Coin Shop	Instant cash, safe, expert advice.	Lower payout than retail.
Online Auctions (eBay)	Reaches more buyers, higher potential price.	Fees, shipping, and potential returns.
Major Auction Houses	Best for extremely rare/high-grade coins.	Long wait times, high commissions.

FAQ — 1929-D Standing Liberty Quarter Value

Q: Is the 1929-D Quarter made of real silver?

A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted between 1916 and 1930 are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.

Q: How can I tell if my 1929-D is a “Full Head”?

A: Under magnification, look at the helmet area on Lady Liberty’s head. You must see a clear, distinct line between the cap and the hair, and the “ear hole” should be visible. If the area looks flat or merged, it is a standard strike.

Q: What is the most ever paid for a 1929-D Quarter?

A: Exceptional specimens graded MS67+ with a Full Head have sold for over $5,000 at major auctions. However, these are extremely rare and usually possess perfect surfaces and incredible coloration.

Q: Why is my 1929 quarter missing the date?

A: Early Standing Liberty Quarters had the date “raised” above the surface, causing them to wear off quickly. By 1929, the mint had recessed the date to protect it, but coins that saw decades of heavy use can still have their dates worn away completely.

Q: Should I get my 1929-D Quarter professionally graded?

A: Only if it is in exceptional “Mint State” condition or possesses the “Full Head” detail. If the coin is worn and worth under $100, the cost of grading ($30-$50 plus shipping) will likely outweigh the value it adds to the coin.