Standing Liberty Quarter Grading Guide
How to grade your 1916–1930 Standing Liberty quarter — the Full Head designation, wear points, and the key 1916 date.
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Standing Liberty Quarter grading, in brief
Standing Liberty quarters (1916–1930) are graded 1–70 on the Sheldon scale. For Mint State coins the Full Head (FH) designation — complete detail on Liberty's head — is the key value driver. The date wears very quickly on this design, so readable dates and Full Head strikes both command premiums.
Full Head (FH) and a readable date
Two things drive Standing Liberty grading: the date (which wore away fast on the early raised-date design) and the Full Head designation. FH requires three visible leaves in Liberty's hair, a complete hairline, and a defined ear. A Full Head strike with a bold date is the premium combination.
What graders look at
Liberty's head (FH)
Three hair leaves, complete hairline, and a defined ear = Full Head, the main value driver.
Date
The raised date (1916–1924) wore away quickly; readable dates command premiums.
Shield & gown
Rivets on the shield and gown detail refine the circulated grade.
Luster
Full luster separates Mint State from About Uncirculated.
Standing Liberty Quarter grading chart
Grade-by-grade, what to look for on your coin.
| Grade | Label | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good | Date partial/worn; outline of figure |
| VF-20 | Very Fine | Readable date; moderate gown and shield detail |
| XF-40 | Extremely Fine | Sharp detail; light high-point wear |
| AU-55 | About Uncirculated | Trace wear; near-full detail |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated | Full luster; check for Full Head |
| MS-65 FH | Gem Full Head | Complete head detail with clean surfaces |
Key dates worth grading
Standing Liberty Quarter grading FAQ
What is Full Head on a Standing Liberty quarter?
Full Head (FH) requires three visible leaves in Liberty's hair, a complete hairline, and a defined ear. It's the premium strike designation and a major value driver.
How do I grade a Standing Liberty quarter?
Check whether the date is fully readable (it wore away fast), then assess gown/shield detail and — for Mint State — whether the head is complete (Full Head). Luster confirms uncirculated status.
Which Standing Liberty quarters are valuable?
The 1916 key date, the 1918/7-S overdate, and semi-keys like the 1921 and 1923-S command strong premiums — especially with Full Head.
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