The 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $25 in heavily worn condition to well over $1,000 in higher mint state grades — and pristine examples can fetch several thousand dollars at major coin auctions. If you just found one of these in an old collection or coin jar, you may be sitting on something seriously valuable.
What Makes the 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter Special
The 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint and carries the small “S” mintmark on the obverse. With a mintage of just 1,836,000 coins, it’s one of the lower-production dates in the entire Standing Liberty Quarter series.
That relatively modest mintage — combined with the fact that most of these coins saw heavy circulation in the 1920s — means truly well-preserved examples are rare today.
If you’re not sure whether your coin has an “S” mintmark or need help identifying exactly what you have, a free coin identifier app can help you figure that out quickly using just your smartphone camera. Tools like CoinKnow are especially popular among everyday collectors for this exact kind of question.
How Much Is the 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter Worth by Grade
Coin value depends heavily on condition, also known as “grade.” A coin that’s been in pockets and piggy banks looks very different from one that was tucked away and never used.
Here’s a general breakdown of what the 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth at different grade levels:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, design visible but flat | $25 – $40 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, some detail remains | $55 – $90 |
| Very Fine (VF-20/30) | Light to moderate wear, clearer detail | $100 – $175 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Slight wear on high points only | $225 – $350 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50/58) | Trace wear, most luster intact | $400 – $650 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear, minor contact marks | $800 – $1,400 |
| Mint State (MS-65+) | Gem quality, exceptional surfaces | $2,500+ |
For a more detailed look at 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter prices across mint state grades, you can check certified auction records and current population data to see where your coin fits in the market.
What to Look for on Your 1919-S Quarter
The Standing Liberty Quarter design features Lady Liberty standing in a gateway, holding a shield. Designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, it’s considered one of the most beautiful coins in American history.
On the 1919-S specifically, you want to check a few important things.
First, find the mintmark. It should be a small “S” located to the left of the date on the obverse side. No mintmark means it was made in Philadelphia, which has different values entirely.
Second, look at Liberty’s head. The high point of the design wears down fastest there. A coin with a fully rounded, detailed head is worth significantly more than one that’s flat and smooth in that area.
Third, check the date area for any signs of cleaning. Cleaned coins lose a lot of collector value — even if they look shiny, experts can tell. CoinKnow has built-in guidance to help you identify these red flags before you try to sell or trade your coin.
Understanding Full Head Designation and Why It Matters
One thing that separates Standing Liberty Quarters from most other series is the “Full Head” (FH) designation. When the details of Liberty’s helmet and facial features are fully struck and visible, certified grading services like PCGS and NGC can award a Full Head designation.
A Full Head 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth dramatically more than a regular example of the same grade.
For instance, an MS-64 example without Full Head might sell for around $900–$1,200. The same coin with a Full Head designation? Easily $3,000 to $6,000 or more.
If you want a complete picture of what your 1919 quarter is worth with and without the Full Head designation, it’s worth looking at certified auction results and comparing your coin carefully under good lighting and magnification.
CoinKnow makes this easier by letting you scan your coin and compare it against reference images in their database — great for getting a quick sense of what you’re working with before contacting a dealer.
Should You Get Your 1919-S Quarter Graded
If your coin looks like it’s in Very Fine condition or better, professional grading is worth considering.
PCGS and NGC are the two most respected third-party grading services. Submitting your coin costs anywhere from $20 to $50+ per coin depending on the service tier, but a certified grade can significantly increase buyer confidence — and your selling price.
A coin that looks “pretty good” to you might grade out at EF-45 or even AU-58 in professional hands, pushing the value well past $400 to $600. For a coin like the 1919-S, that investment usually pays off.
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FAQ
Q: How do I know if my quarter is the 1919-S and not another date?
A: Look at the date on the lower left of the obverse — it should clearly read “1919.” Then look for a small “S” mintmark to the left of the date. If both are present, you have a 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter.
Q: My 1919-S quarter looks shiny and clean — is that good?
A: Not necessarily. A coin that’s been polished or cleaned actually loses value in the collector market. Dealers and graders can spot artificial cleaning easily. Natural, original surfaces — even if they look a little dull — are preferred.
Q: Is a 1919-S Standing Liberty Quarter rare?
A: It’s considered a semi-key date in the series. With under two million minted and most surviving examples heavily worn, high-grade examples are genuinely scarce. It’s not the rarest coin in the series, but it’s certainly not common in collectible condition.
