1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter Value: Full Price Guide

The 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $60 in heavily worn condition to over $15,000 for high-grade specimens with a Full Head. This Denver-minted coin is a favorite among collectors due to its beautiful design and the historical scarcity of well-preserved examples from this specific year.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Good (G-4)	$60 – $85
Fine (F-12)	$175 – $220
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$750 – $900
Mint State (MS-63)	$2,200 – $3,500
MS-65 (Full Head)	$12,000+

History and Significance of the 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter, designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, remains one of the most iconic pieces of American currency. While the series began in 1916, the 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter has a special place in history. Produced at the Denver Mint shortly after World War I, these coins were part of a period where the United States was transitioning back to a peacetime economy.

You can easily identify your find using a top coin identifier and value app to see if you have a genuine 1919 Denver mint mark. During this era, the Denver Mint produced roughly 1.9 million quarters, which sounds like a lot, but compared to modern standards, it is quite low.

What makes the 1919-D specifically interesting is that these coins were workhorses. They circulated heavily through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Because of this, “Finding a 1919-D in Mint condition is extremely difficult today,” say experts at CoinKnow. Most examples you will find in old collections are “slick” or very worn, making high-grade versions a treasure for serious numismatists.

How to Identify the 1919 Denver Mint Mark

Identifying a 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter is relatively simple once you know where to look. The “D” mint mark signifies it was produced in Denver. You can find this small letter to the left of the date, just above the star on the lower left-hand side of the coin’s obverse (front).

If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia. If there is an “S,” it was minted in San Francisco. The location of the mint mark is crucial because it drastically changes the value. A 1919-D is significantly scarcer than its Philadelphia counterpart in almost every grade.

Many beginners struggle to see the mint mark because these coins were designed with a raised pedestal for the date. On early Standing Liberty Quarters, the date was one of the first features to wear away. If you can still see the date and the “D” clearly, you are likely looking at a coin worth over $100. For professional verification, millions of users trust CoinKnow to zoom in on these tiny details.

Grading and the “Full Head” (FH) Designation

When discussing the 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter value, the term “Full Head” (FH) is the most important phrase you will hear. This refers to the level of detail on Lady Liberty’s head. On the most perfectly struck coins, you can see the hairline, the ear hole, and the clear separation of the helmet-like hair covering.

Most 1919-D quarters were struck somewhat softly, meaning even a coin that has never been used (Mint State) might lack these sharp details. If a coin is graded as “Full Head,” its value can triple or quadruple instantly. This distinction is what separates a $2,000 coin from a $15,000 masterpiece.

Grade Designation	Description	Value Multiplier
Flat Head	Liberty’s head is smooth with no detail.	Standard Value
Partial Head	Some hair detail or ear is visible.	1.5x – 2x Value
Full Head (FH)	Crisp, complete details in hair and helmet.	5x – 10x Value

Analyzing 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter Prices

The market for these quarters has remained incredibly strong. Because the 1919-D is a “key date” (a rarer year in the series), it tends to hold its value even when the economy fluctuates. Investors often look for coins in the “Fine” to “Very Fine” range as they offer a good balance of affordability and rarity.

If you are curious about specific auction results, you can check this detailed report on 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter auction prices. This data shows that coins with original “luster”—that satiny shine found on new coins—are becoming harder to find, driving up the costs for collectors trying to complete a full set.

For the average person who finds one of these in a jar, even a low-grade 1919-D is a massive win. While a common 1965 quarter is only worth 25 cents, even a “beat up” 1919-D carries a premium because it is 90% silver and nearly a century old. Using CoinKnow can help you determine if your coin is worth sending to a professional grader like PCGS or NGC.

Key Factors Influencing Your Coin’s Value

Several factors beyond the “Full Head” designation act as a comprehensive guide to the 1919 quarter value. First is the “eye appeal.” Is the coin dark and dirty, or does it have a nice natural tone? Surprisingly, you should never clean your coins; cleaning a rare 1919-D can actually reduce its value by 50% or more.

Second is the presence of scratches or “rim dings.” Because Standing Liberty Quarters have a thin rim, they are prone to being nicked. A coin that would be worth $500 might drop to $100 if there is a significant scratch across Lady Liberty’s body.

Third is the silver melt value. While the numismatic (collector) value is much higher, the base value of the coin is tied to its 0.1808 ounces of pure silver. This provides a “floor” for the price, ensuring it will never be worth just face value.

Feature	Impact on Value
Original Luster	Increases Value Significantly
Cleaned/Polished	Decreases Value by 50%+
Deep Scratches	Decreases Value to “Details” Grade

Where to Sell Your 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter

If you discover you have a 1919-D in your possession, your first instinct might be to go to a pawn shop. Avoid this! Pawn shops generally offer wholesale prices. To get the best 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter value, you should visit a reputable local coin dealer or look into specialized coin auctions.

For coins valued under $200, online marketplaces like eBay are popular, but be sure to take high-quality photos. For higher-value items, especially those in Mint State or with a Full Head, selling through an auction house like Heritage Auctions or Stacks Bowers is the best way to reach serious collectors who are willing to pay top dollar.

Always remember to research current “Ask” prices vs. “Sold” prices. Just because someone lists a coin for $5,000 doesn’t mean it sold for that much. Using tools like CoinKnow helps you stay updated on what buyers are actually paying in real-time.

FAQ

Q: Is the 1919-D Standing Liberty Quarter made of silver?

A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted between 1916 and 1930 are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This makes them valuable even if they are in poor condition.

Q: How can I tell if my 1919-D quarter has a “Full Head”?

A: Look at Liberty’s head under a magnifying glass. If you see a distinct ear, a clear hairline, and no flat spots on the helmet/hair area, it may qualify as a Full Head. This is best confirmed by a professional grading service.

Q: Why is the date so hard to read on my 1919-D quarter?

A: The original design had the date on a raised platform. This caused the date to rub off quickly in circulation. In 1925, the Mint changed the design to “recess” the date, making later years much easier to find with readable dates.

Q: What is the most expensive 1919-D quarter ever sold?

A: High-grade specimens in MS-67 with a Full Head designation have sold for upwards of $90,000 at major auctions. Most “pocket change” finds, however, will be in the $60 to $200 range.