| The Standing Liberty Quarter
Dollar was designed by Hermon A. MacNeil. The initial design included a
bare-breasted Liberty, which proved to be much too daring for some
influential individuals. The complaints against the design were sufficient
to force a change in 1917, but the re-design was extreme to the opposite
degree. Instead of covering Liberty's breast with the same flowing material
of the rest of her dress, the designer clothed her in a coat of mail! The
reverse design was also re-worked in 1917; the eagle was moved more to the
center of the coin and three of the thirteen stars that used to be on the
sides of the reverse were now placed beneath the majestic bird. Beginning
in 1925, the dates on the coins were recessed, giving them more protection
from wear. Well struck examples are the most desirable and much attention
is focused on Liberty's head. So-called "Full Head" examples (those with
complete details) often bring considerable premiums over poorly struck
examples, but attention should also be paid to the rivets on the shield.
Any coin with a Full Head and full rivets is a true prize. Mintmarks on
this type ("D" for Denver or "S" for San Francisco) appear on the obverse
just to the left of, and slightly above, the date. The small M that appears
to the right of the date is the designer's initial. |
