1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter Value and Price Guide

The 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $1,200 in choice mint state. This beautiful silver coin is a favorite among collectors due to its unique historical design and significant precious metal content.

Grade	Estimated Value (USD)
Good (G-4)	$35 – $45
Fine (F-12)	$65 – $85
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$150 – $180
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$300 – $450
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65+)	$800 – $2,500+

Identifying the Rare 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Design

If you have found an old silver quarter in a box of family keepsakes, the first thing you need to do is identify if it is indeed a Type 1. To help with the identification, many collectors use a top coin identifier app to instantly distinguish between subtle design changes. The 1917 quarter was a “transitional” year, meaning the U.S. Mint changed the design midway through production.

The Type 1 design is distinct because Lady Liberty’s right breast is exposed. By late 1917, the Mint modified the design to cover her chest with a coat of chainmail, creating what is known as the “Type 2.” Furthermore, the Type 1 reverse features three stars beneath the eagle, whereas the Type 2 moved those stars for better visual balance.

Owning a 1917 Type 1 is like owning a piece of a minor scandal in American history. Rumor has it that the design was changed due to public outcry over the “indecency” of Liberty’s exposure, though most historians believe the change was actually to make the coin more durable for circulation. If you are unsure which version you have, utilizing the CoinKnow app can provide high-resolution comparisons to confirm your coin’s subtype.

Current 1917 Type 1 Silver Quarter Market Prices

When looking at the current market, the value remains strong because of the high demand from series collectors. Because this was a one-year-only design (shared with a small portion of 1916 production), it holds a special place in the numismatic world. You can find detailed 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter auction results that show how significantly the price jumps for high-grade specimens.

Even a heavily circulated coin retains value because it is composed of 90% silver. However, once you move past the “junk silver” price, the “numismatic premium” takes over. A coin in “Fine” condition will usually fetch double its silver weight value. If the coin has been sitting in a drawer for decades and still has its original luster, you could be looking at a windfall.

For those trying to track daily fluctuations in the market, the CoinKnow app serves as an excellent mobile companion. It aggregates data from major auction houses to ensure you aren’t leaving money on the table when selling. Knowing the specific 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter pricing tiers is essential before you talk to a local coin dealer.

Mint Mark	Average Circulated Value	Mint State Value
1917 (No Mint Mark – Philadelphia)	$40 – $75	$250 – $1,500
1917-D (Denver)	$60 – $120	$400 – $2,500
1917-S (San Francisco)	$55 – $110	$350 – $2,200

Determining the Condition and Grade of Your 1917 Quarter

Condition is everything when it comes to the 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter value. Because the design on these coins is very detailed, they tended to wear down quickly in pockets and purses. Collectors look specifically at “high points” to determine a grade. On the obverse, the first things to wear down are Lady Liberty’s knee and her right breast.

If these areas are flat and featureless, the coin is likely in “Good” or “About Good” condition. If you can still see the fine lines in her drapery and the details of the shield, the grade climbs into the “Fine” or “Very Fine” categories. The highest values are reserved for “Full Head” (FH) designations, where Liberty’s face and helmet details are perfectly struck and preserved.

To get an accurate assessment without paying for professional grading immediately, many people use the CoinKnow photo-grading feature. By taking a clear picture of your 1917 quarter, the app helps you compare your coin against certified samples. This saves you the cost of professional grading if the coin is too worn to be highly valuable, but alerts you if you have a “Gem” that needs protection.

The Importance of Mint Marks: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco

Where your coin was minted plays a massive role in its final price tag. In 1917, three mints produced the Standing Liberty Quarter: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Philadelphia mint coins do not have a mint mark. You will find the mint mark for Denver (D) or San Francisco (S) on the bottom left side of the coin, near Liberty’s foot and the year.

While the Type 1 was produced in large numbers at all three locations, the Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) versions are generally considered more desirable in higher grades. This is because fewer of them were preserved in pristine condition compared to the Philadelphia output. A “Mint State” 1917-D Type 1 is a “key date” variant that many collectors struggle to find.

Keep in mind that mint marks can be very small. Sometimes, dirt or heavy wear can obscure them. If you see a tiny bump but can’t distinguish the letter, try using a magnifying glass or a coin-specific app to zoom in. Discovering a “D” or an “S” can often double the value of a coin that might otherwise appear common.

Design Feature	Type 1 Characteristics	Type 2 Characteristics
Liberty’s Chest	Exposed (Bare)	Covered in Chainmail
Reverse Stars	0 stars under Eagle	3 stars under Eagle
Eagle Position	Lower on the field	Centered higher

Common Errors and Variations to Watch Out For

While world-class errors are rare for this series, there are several “varieties” that can increase the interest level for specialized collectors. Most of these occur on the reverse of the coin, where the eagle’s feathers might be missing detail due to a weak strike. While a weak strike usually lowers value, certain “die cracks” or “double dies” can occasionally surface.

One thing to be very careful about is “cleaned” coins. Many people find old silver coins and think they will be worth more if they are shiny, so they use silver polish or baking soda to clean them. This is a huge mistake! Cleaning a coin leaves microscopic scratches that destroy its numismatic value. A dirty, dark, original coin is almost always worth more than a shiny, cleaned one.

If you suspect your coin has a unique error, such as a clipped planchet or a misplaced date, check it against the database in your coin valuation guide. Most professional buyers will look for “original surfaces”—that beautiful, soft gray or “rainbow” toning that only comes with age. If your coin looks “too good to be true,” it’s best to have it authenticated by a reputable third-party service.

How to Safely Sell Your 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter

When you are ready to sell your 1917 Type 1 quarter, you have several options. If the coin is in Mint State or features the “Full Head” designation, it is almost always best to sell through a dedicated numismatic auction house or a reputable local coin shop. Selling at a pawn shop is generally not recommended, as they often pay “melt value” for the silver rather than the collector’s value.

For regular folks with a single coin, online marketplaces like eBay can be effective, but you must take high-quality, clear photographs. Show both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) clearly. Using a coin app to get a baseline price before listing will prevent you from underpricing your treasure.

Always keep your coin in a protective sleeve (a “flip”) to prevent further wear. Even moving the coin around on a wooden table can cause tiny scratches that lower its grade. By preserving its current state, you ensure that you get the maximum value for this fascinating piece of early 20th-century American currency.

FAQ

Q: Is every 1917 quarter a “Type 1”?

A: No. 1917 was the year the design changed. Type 1 was produced in early 1917, while Type 2 (with the chainmail and different star arrangement) was produced later in the same year. Type 1 is generally more desirable in lower grades.

Q: How much silver is in a 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter?

A: It is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. It contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. This means the coin will always be worth at least its weight in silver, even if it is completely worn out.

Q: What is the “Full Head” designation?

A: “Full Head” (FH) is a term used by grading services like PCGS and NGC. It means the strike was so strong that all the details of Lady Liberty’s hair, ear, and helmet are visible. Coins with this designation sell for much higher prices.

Q: Why is my 1917 quarter missing the date?

A: Standing Liberty Quarters were notorious for the dates wearing off quickly because the date was on a “raised” portion of the design. If the date is completely gone, the coin usually only sells for its silver melt value. However, the 1917 Type 1 is one of the few dates that can often be identified even without a clear date due to the unique breast/star design.