The 1917-S Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $50 in heavily worn condition to over $25,000 for specimens in pristine mint state. This specific year is legendary among collectors because it represents a major design overhaul aimed at making the coin more “modest” and durable for circulation.

Grade	Estimated Value (Type 2)
Good (G-4)	$50 – $65
Fine (F-12)	$110 – $140
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$225 – $275
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$550 – $700
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65 FH)	$2,500 – $5,000+

History of the 1917-S Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarter

If you just found a 1917 quarter with an “S” mint mark in an old jar or inheritance, you might have something quite special. The year 1917 was a transitional one for the United States Mint. To accurately identify what you have, many collectors use a top coin identifier app to distinguish between the two distinct varieties minted that year.

The original design (Type 1) featured Lady Liberty with a bare breast and an eagle in a low flight position. Due to public outcry regarding the “indecent” design and technical issues with how the coins stacked, the Mint authorized a redesign mid-year. This led to the creation of the Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarter.

On the Type 2, Liberty’s chest is covered by a coat of chain mail, suggesting a nation preparing for World War I. Additionally, the reverse side was modified; the eagle was moved higher up, and three stars were placed underneath it. Because the San Francisco Mint (indicated by the ‘S’ mark) produced fewer of these than the Philadelphia Mint, the 1917-S remains a highly sought-after prize for casual hunters and serious numismatists alike. Using CoinKnow can help you determine the exact variety you hold in seconds.

Identifying the “S” Mint Mark and Type 2 Features

The first thing you need to verify is whether your coin was actually minted in San Francisco. Look at the obverse (front) of the coin, just to the left of the date. You should see a small “S” stamped into the metal. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia; if there is a “D,” it was made in Denver.

Distinguishing Type 2 from Type 1 is equally vital for determining the 1917 quarter value accurately. On the front, look at Lady Liberty’s drapery. If she is wearing a shirt of scale mail and her shield is more pronounced, it is a Type 2. On the back, look at the stars. Type 2 coins have three stars directly below the eagle, whereas Type 1 coins have no stars in that position.

The San Francisco Mint struck roughly 1.9 million Type 2 quarters. While this sounds like a large number, many were lost to circulation or melted down over the last century. When you find one with a visible date, you are already ahead of the game, as the dates on this series were notorious for wearing off quickly. CoinKnow is a great tool for zooming in on these tiny details to ensure you haven’t missed a rare mint error or variety.

Grading and the “Full Head” Designation

When looking at the 1917-S Standing Liberty Quarter price data, you will notice a massive jump in value for coins labeled “FH” or “Full Head.” This is a specific grading term used by professionals to describe a coin where the details of Liberty’s helmet and hair are perfectly struck.

Because the Standing Liberty design was difficult to strike clearly, the vast majority of coins left the mint with “flat” heads. A coin with a Full Head designation is incredibly rare and can command a premium of 50% to 100% over a standard strike. This is why even a coin that looks “clean” might be worth thousands more if the microscopic details of the face are crisp.

Condition	Standard Strike Value	Full Head (FH) Value
AU-50 (About Uncirculated)	$350	$550
MS-63 (Mint State)	$600	$1,100
MS-65 (Gem Mint)	$1,450	$3,200
MS-67 (Superb Gem)	$7,500	$22,000+

Why Condition is Everything for the 1917-S

For coins minted over 100 years ago, “condition” or “grade” is the single biggest factor in price. Most 1917-S Type 2 quarters found in change or old boxes today range from “Good” to “Very Fine.” In these grades, you will see the outlines of Liberty, but many of the finer details like the feathers on the eagle or the rivets on the shield will be smoothed over.

A “Good” (G-4) coin is basically a silhouette with a legible date. These are still worth about $50 because of their silver content and historical significance. However, if you find one that still has its original “mint luster”—that shimmery, soapy glow that new coins have—you might be looking at a mortgage payment.

Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC are often used for high-value coins, but for a quick check, you can use CoinKnow to compare your coin’s wear patterns against high-resolution photos of graded specimens. This will give you a realistic expectation before you spend money on professional appraisal fees.

The Silver Content and Bullion Value

Even if your 1917-S Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarter is so worn that you can barely read the date (a “filler” coin), it still has intrinsic value because it is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Back then, American money was actually made of precious metals!

Each of these quarters contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. While the collector (numismatic) value is almost always higher than the silver value for this specific date, it’s good to know that your coin has a “floor” price. If the price of silver spikes, the value of even the most beat-up 1917-S will rise accordingly.

Metal Composition	Percentage	Weight
Silver	90%	6.25 grams (Total)
Copper	10%	N/A

Where to Sell Your 1917-S Quarter

If you’ve confirmed you have a genuine 1917-S Type 2, the next step is deciding how to sell it or store it. For coins worth under $100, local coin shops or eBay are usually the best bet. You will get cash quickly, though dealers usually pay about 60-70% of the retail value to ensure they can make a profit.

For coins that appear to be in Mint State (uncirculated), you should consider having the coin “slabbed” (certified) by a grading service. A certified 1917-S is much easier to sell for a high price because the buyer has a guarantee of its authenticity and grade. High-end auction houses like Heritage Auctions are the preferred venue for “Full Head” specimens that can fetch five-figure sums.

Always keep your coin in a PVC-free plastic holder or a cardboard “flip.” Never, ever clean your coin! Rubbing it with a cloth or using chemicals will strip away the original surface and can slash the value by 50% or more instantly. Collectors prefer a dirty, toned coin over a shiny, cleaned one every single time.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if my 1917-S is Type 1 or Type 2?

A: Look at the back. If there are three stars under the flying eagle, it is a Type 2. If there are no stars under the eagle, it is a Type 1. On the front, Type 2 Liberty is wearing a chain mail shirt.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter?

A: The mint mark is located on the front (obverse) of the coin, just to the left of the date and above the “1” in 1917. An “S” stands for San Francisco, a “D” for Denver, and no mark means it was made in Philadelphia.

Q: Why is my 1917 quarter missing the date?

A: The date on Standing Liberty Quarters was “raised” on the original design, meaning it was the first thing to wear away as the coin circulated. Millions of these coins have no date today. Sadly, “no-date” quarters are usually only worth their silver melt value.

Q: Is the 1917-S Type 2 rare?

A: It is considered a semi-key date. While not as rare as the 1916 or the 1927-S, it is much harder to find than the Philadelphia version and is highly prized in high grades.

Q: Should I clean my old 1917 quarter to make it look better?

A: No! Cleaning a coin is the fastest way to ruin its collector value. Even gentle wiping can leave microscopic scratches that professional graders will spot immediately. Leave the coin in its original state.