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The 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $40 in heavily worn condition to over $1,500 in uncirculated mint state. This San Francisco Mint issue is a prized find for everyday Americans who discover old family collections, as its low mintage makes it significantly more valuable than standard quarters found in pocket change.
| Condition Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $40 – $55 |
| Fine (F-12) | $120 – $150 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $350 – $425 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $850 – $1,100 |
| Mint State (MS-65+) | $2,500+ |
Understanding the Rarity of the 1924-S Quarter
If you have stumbled upon a 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter, you are holding a piece of American history that is far rarer than the average coin. In 1924, the San Francisco Mint produced only 2,860,000 of these quarters. While that might sound like a large number, it is quite small compared to the tens of millions produced in other years. Because of this low mintage, collectors are often willing to pay a premium for even the most worn examples.
Finding one of these in a jar of old coins is a lucky break. Many of these coins were used extensively in commerce, meaning they were passed from hand to hand for decades. This constant use wore down the delicate details of Lady Liberty on the obverse. If you aren’t sure about the condition of your coin, using a top coin identifier app can help you get a baseline understanding of what you have before you take it to a professional dealer.
When you use the CoinKnow app, you can quickly see how your specific coin compares to known examples. The 1924-S is particularly known for having “flat” strikes, where the details don’t look as sharp as they should. This makes high-grade versions incredibly elusive and drives up the price for serious numismatists.
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Identifying the “S” Mint Mark and Date Varieties
The most important step in verifying the 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter value is confirming the “S” mint mark. Standing Liberty Quarters were minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). You can find the mint mark on the front (obverse) of the coin, located just to the left of the date, near Lady Liberty’s right foot.
The 1924-S belongs to the “Type 2” design of this series. This design was introduced in mid-1917 because the public was scandalous about Lady Liberty’s exposed breast in the Type 1 design. The Type 2 design features chain mail covering her chest and three stars below the eagle on the reverse side. More importantly for collectors, the date on 1924 quarters was “recessed” starting in 1925, but 1924 coins still had the earlier, raised date style.
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Because the date was raised, it was the first thing to wear off as the coin circulated. A 1924-S with a fully visible, sharp date is worth significantly more than one where the numbers are fading into the rim. Professional current 1924-S quarter pricing trends suggest that even slight improvements in date clarity can jump the price by $50 or more.
Grading Your 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter
To determine the exact 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter value, you must assign it a “grade.” Grading is the process of evaluating how much wear and tear the coin has suffered. For the average person, this can be tricky, but there are specific milestones to look for on Lady Liberty’s shield and the eagle’s wings.
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In “Good” condition, the coin will be very flat, but the date and mint mark must be legible. If the date is missing, the coin is only worth its silver weight (melt value), which is much lower. In “Fine” condition, you should see the major lines of Liberty’s gown. By the time you reach “About Uncirculated,” the coin should still have some of its original luster or shine from the mint.
| Condition | Visual Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Date is readable but faint; rims are flat. |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | Good detail in the shield and Liberty’s clothing. |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Only slight wear on the highest points like the knee. |
| Mint State (MS-63) | No wear; original mint frost still present. |
The Importance of the “Full Head” (FH) Designation
If you are looking at auction results or high-end price guides, you will notice the letters “FH” attached to some grades. This stands for “Full Head.” This is a special designation given by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC when Lady Liberty’s head shows complete detail, specifically the three leaves in her hair and a distinct ear hole.
Most 1924-S quarters were “weakly struck,” meaning the dies didn’t press hard enough into the silver to bring out these tiny details. Because of this, a 1924-S with a Full Head is an incredible rarity. For example, a standard MS-65 1924-S might sell for $2,000, but a 1924-S MS-65 with the Full Head designation can easily fetch $15,000 to $20,000 at auction.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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While you are unlikely to find a “Full Head” coin in a random jar of change, it is always worth checking with the CoinKnow app’s high-resolution image comparison. Identifying high-grade features is a key part of understanding the 1924-S silver quarter market value and ensures you don’t accidentally sell a treasure for a fraction of its potential worth.
Factors That Influence Market Value
Beyond the grade and the mint mark, several other factors can affect how much a buyer is willing to pay for your 1924-S quarter. One major factor is “eye appeal.” This refers to how pretty the coin looks. If the coin has dark, ugly spots or scratches (cleaning marks), the value will drop significantly. Collectors prefer coins with “original skin,” meaning they Haven’t been polished or chemically cleaned.
Never clean your coins! This is the most common mistake made by everyday people who find old coins. Even a soft cloth can leave tiny scratches that professional graders will notice immediately. A dirty, original coin is always worth more than a shiny, cleaned coin. Cleaning a 1924-S quarter could reduce its value by 50% or more instantly.
Market demand also plays a role. The Standing Liberty series is one of the most popular among collectors because of its beautiful design. Even in low grades, there are always buyers looking to fill a hole in their “folder.” Using the popular CoinKnow platform helps sellers connect with these collectors and stay updated on the latest sales data.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Market Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Cleaned Surface | Decreases value by 50% or more |
| Strong Strike | Increases value by 20-50% |
| Attractive Toning | Increases value for high-end collectors |
| Scratches/Dents | Significant decrease based on severity |
How to Safely Store and Sell Your Coin
Once you’ve identified your 1924-S quarter, you need to protect it. Since this coin contains 90% silver, it is susceptible to environmental damage. Store it in a PVC-free plastic holder or a cardboard “2×2” flip. This prevents oils from your skin and moisture in the air from causing дальнейшее tarnishing or corrosion.
When you are ready to sell, you have several options. For lower-grade coins (under $100), local coin shops or eBay are great choices. For higher-value coins, especially those in uncirculated condition, you may want to have the coin “certified” by a grading service like PCGS. This acts as a guarantee of authenticity and grade, making it much easier to sell for a top-tier price.
Always get multiple opinions before selling a high-value coin. A 1924-S is a “key date” variant for many collectors, and its value fluctuates with the silver market and collector interest. By keeping your coin protected and doing your research through reputable apps and price guides, you ensure that you receive the maximum 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter value.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1924-S quarter made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted from 1916 to 1930 are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This means the coin has “intrinsic value” even if it is too worn to be a collector’s item.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1924 Standing Liberty Quarter?
A: The “S” mint mark for San Francisco is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. Look just to the left of the date, next to the star near Lady Liberty’s right foot. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: What is a “partial date” 1924-S quarter worth?
A: If the “1924” is only partially visible but the “S” is clear, the coin is still worth significantly more than its silver weight—likely between $25 and $35. However, a full, bold date is required for the higher price brackets.
Q: Can I find a 1924-S quarter in my pocket change today?
A: It is extremely unlikely. Quarters today are made of copper-nickel, and most silver quarters were pulled from circulation by the late 1960s. Most people find these in old collections, estate sales, or through metal detecting.