1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter (Full Head)

Few American coins carry a backstory as fascinating as the 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter. This is the coin that shocked polite society, prompted a Congressional redesign, and became one of the most collectible quarters in United States numismatic history. For collectors who chase the Full Head (FH) designation, this coin represents the intersection of artistic ambition, political controversy, and the kind of sharp striking detail that separates an ordinary coin from a cabinet piece.

Whether you are building a type set, chasing registry-quality specimens, or simply curious about one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the United States Mint, the 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter with Full Head details deserves your full attention.

The Design That Started a Controversy

In 1916, the United States Mint was ready for a fresh start. The Barber quarter, dime, and half dollar designs had been in production since 1892, and after 24 years, they were eligible for replacement under the Mint Act of 1890. Mint Director Robert W. Woolley invited three prominent sculptors to compete for the redesign of all three silver denominations.

Hermon Atkins MacNeil, a well-known sculptor celebrated for his depictions of Native American subjects and public monuments, won the contract for the quarter dollar. His design was bold: a standing figure of Liberty positioned in a gateway or parapet, her right foot forward as if stepping into action, holding an olive branch in her right hand and a shield in her left. Behind her, a rising sun symbolized a new dawn for the nation.

The controversy centered on one detail. In MacNeil's original design, Liberty's right breast was exposed, her flowing gown draped loosely around her figure. While artistic nudity was nothing new in American numismatics (the 1896 "Educational" silver certificates featured similar imagery), the sight of partial frontal nudity on a coin that would pass through every American's hands proved too much for some members of Congress and the public.

The model for Liberty was likely a composite of two women: silent film actress Dora Doscher (also known as Doris Doree) and Broadway actress Irene MacDowell. MacDowell's husband reportedly disapproved of the pose, perhaps foreseeing the controversy to come.

Type 1 vs. Type 2: Understanding the Transition

The Standing Liberty Quarter series is divided into distinct types based on design changes that happened during 1917. Understanding these types is essential for collectors.

Type 1 (1916 and early 1917): Liberty's right breast is exposed. The reverse features an eagle in flight positioned high on the coin, with no stars below the eagle. The Philadelphia Mint struck 8,740,000 Type 1 quarters in 1917 before the design was changed. The Denver and San Francisco mints also produced Type 1 quarters in 1917.

Type 2 (mid-1917 through 1930): Liberty now wears a chain mail vest covering her torso. The reverse was also modified, with three stars repositioned below the eagle. An additional 13,880,000 Type 2 quarters were struck at Philadelphia alone during 1917.

MacNeil himself initiated the design change, and numismatic historian R.W. Burdette suggests the modification reflected both the sculptor's evolving artistic sensibility and the deterioration of the international situation in February 1917 as the United States moved toward war with Germany. The chain mail vest gave Liberty a more militaristic, battle-ready appearance appropriate for the times.

What Makes a "Full Head" Quarter?

The Full Head (FH) designation is the single most important quality distinction for Standing Liberty Quarters, and it dramatically affects value at every grade level.

To receive the FH designation from PCGS or NGC, a coin must display:

• Clear, distinct hair cords: The individual strands of Liberty's hair must show separation and definition

• A visible hairline: The line where Liberty's hair meets her forehead cap must be sharp

• Evident ear detail: The ear must be discernible, not mushy or flat

Some authorities also look for complete rivets on Liberty's shield as evidence of a full strike, though head detail alone defines the official subtype.

J.H. Cline, the foremost expert on the Standing Liberty Quarter series, estimated that approximately 80% of all Type 1 quarters in uncirculated condition display Full Head details. This is a significantly higher percentage than later dates in the series, thanks to improvements the Mint made to the obverse hub early in production. For comparison, certain later dates like the 1926-S or 1927-S are vanishingly rare with Full Head details.

That said, "Full Head" does not mean "common." While the percentage is relatively high in Mint State, many surviving coins circulated heavily, and the high-relief head was one of the first areas to show wear.

Specifications and Key Facts

• Designer: Hermon Atkins MacNeil

• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

• Weight: 6.25 grams (96.45 grains)

• Diameter: 24.3 mm

• Edge: Reeded

• Silver content: 0.18084 troy ounces

• Mint marks: None (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)

• Mint mark location: To the left of Liberty's feet, right of the lowest left-hand column star on the obverse

• 1917 Type 1 Philadelphia mintage: 8,740,000

• Total Type 1 business strike mintage (all mints): approximately 12,253,200

• Proof mintage: None officially issued (Satin Proofs/Specimens reported for 1917 but none listed in census reports)

Value Guide by Grade

The 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter is modestly priced in circulated grades but escalates sharply in gem Mint State with the Full Head designation. Here is what collectors can expect to pay across the grading spectrum.

Circulated Grades (Good through Extremely Fine)

• G-4 to VG-8: $30 to $50

• F-12 to VF-25: $60 to $80

• EF-40 to EF-45: $80 to $120

About Uncirculated to Low Mint State

• AU-50 to AU-58: $150 to $300

• AU-55 FH: $200 to $500

• MS-60 to MS-62: $200 to $350

Mid to High Mint State (Standard Strike)

• MS-63: $300 to $500

• MS-64: $400 to $600

• MS-65: $500 to $700

• MS-66: $1,500 to $3,000

• MS-67: $2,000 to $6,500

Mid to High Mint State (Full Head)

• MS-63 FH: $400 to $700

• MS-64 FH: $500 to $800

• MS-65 FH: $900 to $1,200

• MS-66 FH: $3,000 to $8,000

• MS-67 FH: $23,000 to $27,600

• MS-67+ FH: $10,000 to $32,900

The Full Head premium is modest in lower grades (a few hundred dollars) but becomes enormous at the gem level. An MS-67 FH example sold for $27,600 at Heritage Auctions in August 2021 from the Bob R. Simpson Collection. The auction record for a Full Head example stands at $32,900, set by an MS-67+ FH specimen at Heritage Auctions in January 2016.

Condition Assessment Guide

When evaluating a 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter, focus on these areas:

Obverse Check Points:

• Head and hair detail (the defining factor for FH designation)

• Shield rivets and interior lines

• Gown folds and drapery lines across the torso

• Date clarity (Standing Liberty dates are notoriously prone to wear)

• Overall luster in the fields

Reverse Check Points:

• Eagle's breast feathers

• Wing detail and definition

• Clarity of "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM"

• Overall strike sharpness

Condition Grades at a Glance:

• Gem (MS-65+): Full, unbroken luster. Minimal contact marks. Sharp details throughout. Premium examples show blazing cartwheel luster.

• Choice (MS-63 to MS-64): Strong luster with scattered marks. Details well-defined but may show light friction on high points.

• About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): Trace wear on Liberty's head, knee, and shield. Most original luster still visible.

• Extremely Fine (EF-40): Light wear on all high points. Gown folds and shield lines still clear. Date fully readable.

• Fine (F-12): Moderate wear. Head details partially smooth. Date still complete but may show some softness.

• Good (G-4): Heavy wear. Design outline visible but most detail flat. Date may be weak (a notorious issue for the entire series).

The Date Wear Problem

One of the most significant issues with Standing Liberty Quarters across the entire series is the rapid wear of the date. The date was positioned on a raised area of the coin that contacted surfaces during circulation, causing it to wear away far more quickly than on other quarter designs.

This problem was so severe that in 1925, the Mint modified the design (creating what some classify as a Type 3 or Type 2b) by recessing the date into the coin's surface. For 1917 Type 1 quarters, date wear is a constant concern for collectors. A coin may show VF detail across most of the design but have a date that is nearly illegible.

When buying circulated examples, always verify that the date is complete and legible. Dateless Standing Liberty Quarters, while common, trade for a fraction of the value of dated examples.

Authentication and Counterfeits

The 1917 Type 1 is not as heavily counterfeited as the ultra-rare 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter (mintage: 52,000), but collectors should still exercise caution, particularly with alleged Full Head examples in high grades. Key authentication tips:

• Buy from reputable dealers or insist on PCGS/NGC certification

• Be wary of coins with suspicious surfaces or tooling marks around the head (some coins have been altered to simulate Full Head details)

• Compare the coin's weight (should be 6.25 grams) and diameter (24.3 mm) to specifications

• Check for correct edge reeding

Collecting Strategies

Type Set Collectors: The 1917 Type 1 Philadelphia issue is the most affordable way to add this design to a type set. In AU or low Mint State, prices remain reasonable and the exposed-breast design is distinctly different from the Type 2.

Date and Mint Mark Collectors: The 1917 Type 1 is available from three mints. The Philadelphia issue is most common, followed by the San Francisco (1,952,000 mintage) and Denver (1,509,200 mintage) issues. The 1917-S Type 1 with Full Head is particularly challenging and expensive in gem grades.

Registry Set Competitors: The premium is entirely at the top end. MS-67+ FH examples are the target, with PCGS reporting 22 at that level (as of late 2024). CAC approval adds further premium. Heritage and Legend Rare Coin Auctions are the primary venues for top-tier examples.

Budget Collectors: Circulated examples in VF to EF grades offer excellent value. The design details are still visible, the date is typically complete, and prices in the $60 to $120 range make this an accessible entry point for a significant coin.

Historical Context

The 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter was born into a world at war. When these coins first rolled off the presses in January 1917, the United States was still officially neutral in World War I. By April, America had entered the conflict. The coin's imagery of Liberty armed with a shield and stepping forward through a gateway proved prophetic.

The broader context of early 20th century American coinage is worth appreciating. The period from 1907 to 1921 produced some of the most beautiful coins in United States history: the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, the Indian Head eagle, the Buffalo nickel, the Mercury dime, the Walking Liberty half dollar, and the Standing Liberty quarter. This was the golden age of American coin design, driven by President Theodore Roosevelt's conviction that the nation's coinage should rival the artistry of ancient Greek coins.

MacNeil's Standing Liberty Quarter stands proudly in that company. Despite the controversy, despite the modifications, and despite the practical problems with date wear, the design is widely regarded as one of the finest ever to appear on an American coin.

Why This Coin Matters

The 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter with Full Head designation occupies a unique position in American numismatics. It represents:

• The only U.S. coin design to feature partial frontal nudity on a circulation issue

• A one-year type (the Type 1 design existed only in 1916 and early 1917)

• The work of one of America's most accomplished sculptors

• A tangible connection to the nation's entry into World War I

• A coin where strike quality (Full Head) dramatically affects desirability and value

For collectors who appreciate both history and beauty in their coins, the 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter delivers on every level. The Full Head designation adds a layer of connoisseurship that rewards the patient collector who understands what separates a good coin from a great one.

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