Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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The 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in worn condition to over $350 in high-grade mint state. Finding this elegant silver coin in your collection is exciting, as the San Francisco mint mark often signals a lower mintage and higher collector demand for hobbyists today.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $10 – $12 |
| Fine (F-12) | $18 – $25 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $65 – $80 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $210 – $275 |
History of the 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter
The Standing Liberty Quarter is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, it features Lady Liberty stepping through a gateway, holding a shield and an olive branch. By 1928, the design had undergone significant changes, most notably the transition to “recessed dates.” Earlier versions of this coin had the date raised above the rim, which caused it to wear away almost immediately. In 1928, the date was protected by a deeper rim, which is why most 1928-S quarters found today still have visible numbers.
If you have found one of these in an old cigar box or passed down from a relative, you might wonder if it is an authentic rarity. Using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark before diving deeper into the valuation. The San Francisco Mint produced just over 2.6 million of these quarters in 1928. While that sounds like a lot, it is quite low compared to modern quarters, making it a “semi-key” date that collectors actively seek out to complete their sets.
Knowing the exact variety of your coin is important because the “S” mint mark is small and can sometimes be obscured by dirt or wear. Many newcomers use CoinKnow to get an instant visual confirmation of their coin’s pedigree. This ensures they don’t overlook a valuable 1928-S while searching through a pile of common silver Washington quarters.
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How to Identify the “S” Mint Mark
The mint mark on a Standing Liberty Quarter is located on the obverse (front) of the coin. You will find it just to the left of the date, next to the “star” and Liberty’s foot. An “S” indicates it was struck in San Francisco, a “D” for Denver, and no mint mark at all indicates it was struck in Philadelphia. The 1928-S is particularly interesting because San Francisco was known for having “lazy” strikes during this era, meaning the details might look a bit soft even if the coin hasn’t been used much.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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When using CoinKnow, you can zoom in on the mint mark area to see if there is any evidence of a “Repunched Mint Mark” (RPM), which can drive the price up even further. Most 1928-S quarters have a clear, blocky “S.” Because this coin is 90% silver, it also has an intrinsic “melt value.” However, the numismatic (collector) value of the 1928-S is almost always higher than the raw silver price, especially if the coin is in decent shape.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
| Mint Mark | Rarity Level | Popularity |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 (P) | Common | Medium |
| 1928-D | Scarce | High |
| 1928-S | Semi-Key Date | Very High |
Determining the Grade and Condition
The value of your quarter depends heavily on its “grade”—a professional assessment of its wear and tear. A coin that has been in pockets for years will be “Good” or “Very Good,” while a coin that sat in a bank vault will be “Mint State.” For the 1928-S, collectors pay a massive premium for coins that haven’t been scratched or cleaned. Even a light cleaning with a cloth can ruin the value of a $100 coin, so never polish your quarters!
To get an idea of where your coin sits, look at Liberty’s shield and the eagle’s breast feathers. If the shield is completely flat with no lines, it is in lower grade. If you can see the rivets on the shield and the chainmail on Liberty’s chest, you are looking at a high-value item. You can find more specific 1928-S quarter grade prices by checking professional auction records for Mint State examples.
The Importance of the “Full Head” Designation
In the world of Standing Liberty Quarters, there is a special designation called “Full Head” (FH). This refers to the strike quality on Liberty’s head. Because the San Francisco mint often used worn dies, many 1928-S quarters show Liberty with a “featureless” head. If your coin is in Mint State and you can clearly see the hair detail and the ear hole, it is designated as a Full Head coin.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
A 1928-S FH quarter can be worth three to five times more than a standard 1928-S of the same grade. This is where apps like CoinKnow become essential; they help you identify these subtle details that separate a $200 coin from a $1,000 treasure. Collectors are obsessed with the “strike” of the 1920s S-mint coins because they were notoriously poorly struck, making a sharp, detailed example extremely rare.
| Grade | Standard Price | Full Head (FH) Price |
|---|---|---|
| MS-63 | $250 | $550 |
| MS-65 | $475 | $1,250 |
| MS-66 | $800 | $2,400 |
Current Market Trends for 1920s Quarters
The market for silver quarters from the 1920s has been incredibly stable over the last decade. Unlike modern commemorative coins, the Standing Liberty series has a finite supply and a massive fan base. As more people discover the hobby of coin roll hunting or inherit family estates, the demand for “key dates” like the 1928-S continues to grow.
If you are trying to sell your coin, keep in mind that coin shops will usually offer you “wholesale” prices, which are about 20-30% below the retail market value. However, if you have a high-grade specimen, you might be better off sending it to a grading service like PCGS or NGC. You can study the latest market valuations for 1928 quarters to see if your coin is worth the $50+ fee for professional grading. Generally, if the coin is worth less than $150, professional grading might not be worth the cost.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Where to Sell Your 1928-S Quarter
Once you’ve identified your coin using CoinKnow and determined its approximate grade, you have several options for selling. Local coin shops are the fastest way to get cash, but they need to make a profit, so you won’t get the “book value.” Online auctions like eBay are great for reaching a wide audience of collectors, though you will have to deal with shipping and seller fees.
For high-value “Full Head” examples, professional auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers are the preferred choice. These venues attract serious investors who are willing to pay record-breaking prices for top-tier preserved coins. Always remember that the condition is king: a single scratch on Liberty’s face can drop the value significantly, so handle your coin by the edges and keep it in a protective PVC-free flip or holder.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1928-S Quarter made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted between 1916 and 1930 are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This means even a heavily damaged coin has “melt value” based on the current price of silver, though the 1928-S usually carries a collector premium above that.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Why is my 1928-S quarter so flat and hard to read?
A: The San Francisco mint often had issues with “weak strikes” during this period. Additionally, quarters were heavily used in daily commerce until the 1960s. If your coin is very flat, it is likely in “About Good” or “Good” condition, which is the most common state for survived 1928 quarters.
Q: What is a “Full Head” 1928-S quarter?
A: A “Full Head” (FH) designation is given to coins where the detail on Liberty’s head is completely visible, including the line of her hair and the opening of her ear. Because of the poor strikes at the San Francisco mint in 1928, these are very rare and highly valuable to collectors.
Q: How can I tell if my 1928 quarter is an “S” or a “D”?
A: Look on the front of the coin, just to the left of the date. There is a small gap between the date and the star. If you see an “S,” it was minted in San Francisco. If you see a “D,” it was Denver. If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia.