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The 1928 Standing Liberty Quarter (No Mint Mark) is worth anywhere from $10 in heavily worn condition to over $350 in high-grade uncirculated condition. This beautiful silver coin is a favorite among collectors due to its iconic “Type 2” design and historical significance during the roaring twenties.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $10 – $12 |
| Fine (F-12) | $18 – $22 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $45 – $55 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $165 – $190 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-65+) | $350+ |
Overview of the 1928 Standing Liberty Quarter
If you have stumbled upon a 1928 quarter that lacks a small letter near the star on the left of the date, you have found a Philadelphia Mint issue. To identify its quality quickly, many collectors use a top coin identifier app to get an instant digital appraisal. The Philadelphia Mint produced over 6.3 million of these quarters in 1928, which makes them relatively accessible but still highly prized in better conditions.
The Standing Liberty series, designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, is widely considered one of the most beautiful designs in U.S. coinage history. By 1928, the “Type 2” design was in full swing, featuring Liberty in a suit of chainmail holding a shield and an olive branch.
One of the most important aspects for any everyday American to understand is the “Full Head” (FH) designation. Collectors pay a massive premium for coins where the details of Liberty’s helmet and hair are perfectly struck. If you aren’t sure how to spot these details, the CoinKnow app can help you zoom in and compare your coin to high-resolution grading samples.
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Understanding the No Mint Mark Philadelphia Issue
In the world of coin collecting, the absence of a mint mark on early 20th-century coins usually signifies that the coin was minted in Philadelphia. For the 1928 Standing Liberty series, Philadelphia had the highest mintage compared to San Francisco (S) or Denver (D). This means your coin is likely the most common variety found in old jars or inherited collections.
While “common” might sound disappointing, it is all relative. Because these coins are 90% silver, they have an inherent “melt value” that provides a price floor. However, the numismatic (collector) value of a 1928 quarter consistently exceeds its silver weight, especially if the date is clear and legible.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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To get a better sense of how rarity impacts price, check out the latest 1928 Standing Liberty Quarter price data. You will notice that while worn coins are affordable, the prices jump exponentially once you reach the “Mint State” levels where the original luster is still visible.
| Mint Mark | Mintage Quantity | Rarity Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (None) | 6,336,000 | Common |
| Denver (D) | 1,627,600 | Scarce |
| San Francisco (S) | 2,644,000 | Uncommon |
Determining the Grade and Condition
The value of your 1928 quarter is almost entirely dependent on its grade. Grading is the process of determining how much wear the coin has suffered over the last century. For beginners, the most important thing to look for is the “recessed date.”
By 1928, the Mint had modified the design to protect the date from wearing off too quickly. This is why 1928 quarters are much easier to find with clear dates than coins from 1917 to 1924. If you can see the “1928” clearly without a magnifying glass, your coin is likely at least in “Fine” condition.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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For a deeper dive into the technicalities of grading these specific quarters, you should review this comprehensive 1928 quarter value guide. It explains the subtle differences between a coin that is “About Uncirculated” and one that is “Mint State.” If you want an objective opinion without visiting a coin shop, the AI features in CoinKnow can provide a tentative grade based on a photo from your smartphone.
The Value of 90% Silver Content
In addition to its collector value, the 1928 Standing Liberty Quarter is a “junk silver” coin. This term is used by investors to describe old US coins that are valued primarily for their silver content rather than their rarity. Each 1928 quarter contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver.
When silver prices rise, the value of even the most worn 1928 quarter rises with it. Even if your coin is so damaged that collectors aren’t interested, a precious metals dealer will still buy it for its silver weight.
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Always check the current “spot price” of silver before selling. However, do not sell a 1928 quarter for just its silver weight if it is in high-end condition. High-quality pieces are worth 20 to 50 times their silver value to collectors who are trying to complete a “date and mint” set of Standing Liberty Quarters.
| Silver Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Silver Weight | 0.1808 oz |
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
Key Features to Look for: The Full Head Designation
If you want to find a “treasure” in your collection, look closely at Liberty’s head. On most 1928 quarters, the strike was a bit weak, making the details of the helmet look flat. However, if the strike was exceptionally strong, the coin earns the “Full Head” (FH) designation from grading services like PCGS or NGC.
A 1928 Quarter with a Full Head is significantly more valuable than a standard one. For example, a standard Mint State 65 coin might sell for $300, but the same grade with a Full Head could easily fetch $800 or more at auction.
The CoinKnow app is particularly useful for identifying these strike characteristics. By comparing your coin to “Full Head” examples in the app’s database, you can determine if your quarter is worth a trip to a professional grading service. Capturing these tiny details is the difference between a $20 find and a $500 payday.
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Where to Sell Your 1928 Standing Liberty Quarter
Once you have identified that your 1928 quarter is in good condition, the next step is knowing where to sell it. For everyday Americans, the local coin shop is the most convenient option, but they will typically offer “wholesale” prices so they can make a profit on the resale.
If you believe your coin is a high-grade specimen or has the Full Head designation, online auctions or specialized coin forums might yield a higher price. Be sure to have clear, high-resolution photos of both the front (obverse) and back (reverse) of the coin.
Always be wary of cleaning your coins. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to make an old coin look “shiny” by scrubbing it with polish or soap. This actually destroys the numismatic value of the coin and can turn a valuable collectible into a simple piece of silver scrap. Keep it in its original, tarnished state for the best appraisal.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1928 quarter?
A: The mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) is located on the front of the coin, just to the left of the date. If there is no letter there, it was minted in Philadelphia.
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Q: Is a 1928 quarter made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted in 1928 are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. They are much more valuable than the copper-nickel quarters we use today.
Q: How can I tell if my 1928 quarter is worth more than $10?
A: Look at the detail in Liberty’s shield and the eagle’s feathers on the back. If you can see individual feathers and the lines in the shield are crisp, the coin is likely in a higher grade and worth a premium.
Q: Why is my 1928 quarter’s date so easy to read compared to other years?
A: In 1925, the U.S. Mint changed the design to “recess” the date, meaning it was stamped deeper into the coin’s surface. This protected it from being worn down by circulation, which is why 1928 quarters usually have very clear dates.