The 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $15 in worn condition to over $500 in high-grade mint state. This San Francisco minted coin is a favorite among collectors due to its beautiful design and the historical era it represents, making it a potentially valuable find in any old collection.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$12 – $15
Fine (F-12)	$25 – $35
Extremely Fine (XF-45)	$65 – $80
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$200 – $250
Full Head (MS-65 FH)	$1,200+

Understanding the History of the 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter

The Standing Liberty Quarter series remains one of the most artistically praised periods in the history of the United States Mint. Designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, it features Lady Liberty stepping through an opening in a wall, holding a shield and an olive branch. By the time 1928 rolled around, the design had been refined several times to address issues with the date wearing off and the initial controversy surrounding Liberty’s exposed chest.

The “S” mint mark on your 1928 quarter indicates it was produced at the San Francisco Mint. During this specific year, the San Francisco facility struck 2,636,000 quarters. While this might sound like a large number, it is quite low when compared to modern production figures. Finding one of these coins today is a treat for any everyday American who stumbles upon their grandfather’s old cigar box of change. If you aren’t sure what you have, using a top coin identifier app can help you distinguish between the different mint marks and years.

Many collectors prioritize the 1928-S because it represents the later years of the series before it was replaced by the Washington Quarter in 1932. Because many of these coins were used in daily commerce during the Great Depression, they often show significant wear. To get an accurate sense of your specific coin, the CoinKnow app provides high-resolution imagery to compare your coin against.

How to Identify the Mint Mark and Design Details

To determine the true 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter value, you must first confirm that it was indeed minted in San Francisco. Look at the obverse (the front) of the coin. The mint mark is located just to the left of the date, near the bottom of the wall that Lady Liberty is stepping through. An “S” indicates San Francisco, while a “D” would mean Denver, and no mark at all means it was minted in Philadelphia.

The 1928-S is a “Type 2” design. This means the date is recessed into the pedestal, a change made in 1917 because the dates on the “Type 1” coins were wearing off far too quickly. This design improvement is the reason why we can still find 1928 quarters with readable dates today. Even so, the details on Liberty’s chain mail and the feathers on the eagle’s wings on the reverse are the first things to disappear as the coin circulates.

If you are looking for accurate 1928-S quarter price data, you must pay close attention to the “Full Head” (FH) designation. This refers to the strike quality on Lady Liberty’s head. If the helmet and hair details are crisp and distinct, the coin’s value skyrockets. Most 1928-S quarters were not sharply struck, making “Full Head” versions extremely rare and desirable.

Grading Your 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter

The condition, or “grade,” of your coin is the most significant factor in determining its market price. Coin grading is a scale from 1 to 70. For the average person, we can simplify this into four main categories: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Mint State. A 1928-S in “Good” condition will be very flat, with the date barely visible and the rim blending into the letters.

A “Fine” coin will show some detail in Liberty’s gown, and the shield will have a clear outline. By the time you reach “Extremely Fine,” the coin looks almost new but has slight dulling on the highest points of the design. Finally, “Mint State” coins are those that never made it into pockets or cash registers; they still have their original “mint luster” or shine.

Grade Detail	Visual Characteristics
Good (G-4)	Date is readable but faint; rims are worn flat.
Fine (F-12)	Major details in Liberty’s drapery are visible.
Very Fine (VF-20)	Shield is clear; some feathers on the eagle show detail.
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Traces of wear only on the knee and breast.

Determining the difference between an AU-58 and an MS-60 coin can be difficult for a beginner. However, getting it right is crucial because the price jump can be hundreds of dollars. You can browse more detailed 1928 quarter value information to see how slight variations in grade change the selling price at major auctions.

The Significance of the Full Head Designation

Among the community of serious numismatists, the “Full Head” (FH) designation is the ultimate prize for the 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter. Because the San Francisco Mint was known for having “soft” dies during this era, a large percentage of the coins produced did not have a sharp strike. This resulted in Liberty’s head looking like a rounded blob rather than a crown with distinct features.

For a coin to be certified as FH, the three leaves on Liberty’s helmet must be visible, the ear hole must be distinct, and the hairline must be sharp. If you think your coin has these features, you could be looking at a four-figure payday. Even if your coin has some wear, a strong strike can still make it more attractive to buyers.

The CoinKnow app can help you zoom in on these tiny details that the naked eye might miss. Collectors are often willing to pay a massive premium—sometimes 5 to 10 times the standard price—for a coin that has been verified with a Full Head by a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.

Collector Demand and Market Trends in 2024

The market for Standing Liberty Quarters has remained remarkably stable over the last decade. Unlike modern “get rich quick” coins, the 1928-S is a classic cornerstone of American numismatics. Demand is driven by two types of buyers: “Type Set” collectors who want one high-quality example of each coin design, and “Date and Mint Mark” collectors who are trying to complete a whole book of Standing Liberty Quarters.

As of 2024, the price for low-grade 1928-S quarters has seen a slight uptick due to the rising price of silver. Each of these quarters is made of 90% silver, meaning they have an intrinsic “melt value” regardless of their condition as a collectible. However, the numismatic value (the value to collectors) almost always exceeds the silver value for the 1928-S.

Mintage Year/Mint	Mintage Total	Rarity Level
1928-P (Philadelphia)	6,336,000	Common
1928-D (Denver)	1,627,600	Relatively Scarce
1928-S (San Francisco)	2,636,000	Scarce in High Grade

Since the 1928-S was one of the last few dates in the series, it is more obtainable than the legendary 1916 or the 1927-S. This makes it a popular “entry-level” key date for new collectors who want a piece of San Francisco mint history without spending thousands of dollars.

Where to Sell Your 1928-S Quarter for the Best Price

If you’ve identified your coin and realize it’s worth a significant amount, your next question is likely: “How do I sell it?” For everyday Americans, the first instinct is often a local pawn shop or a “We Buy Gold” storefront. However, these venues typically pay only a fraction of the actual 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter value because they need to resell the coin for a profit.

For the best return, consider specialized avenues:
1. Local Coin Dealers: Most reputable dealers will offer you about 60-70% of the retail price.
2. Online Auctions (eBay): This allows you to reach collectors directly, though you’ll have to deal with shipping and seller fees.
3. Coin Shows: These events feature dozens of dealers competing for high-quality inventory, which can drive up the price you receive.
4. Professional Grading: If the CoinKnow app suggests your coin is in Mint State or has a Full Head, it is worth paying for professional certification from a service like PCGS before selling.

Don’t be afraid to get multiple offers. A coin that one dealer sees as “common” might be the exact piece another dealer needs to complete a set for a high-end client. Always check current completed listings rather than “asking” prices to see what people are actually paying.

FAQ

Q: Is the 1928-S Quarter made of real silver?

A: Yes, all Standing Liberty Quarters minted from 1916 to 1930 are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gives them a base value that fluctuates with the daily price of precious metals, though the 1928-S is worth more to collectors than just its silver content.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter?

A: The mint mark is a small “S” located on the front of the coin. Look just to the left of the date, near the bottom corner of the wall Lady Liberty is standing in front of. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia.

Q: How can I tell if my 1928-S has a “Full Head”?

A: A Full Head (FH) coin must show all the details of Liberty’s hair and helmet. Specifically, the ear must be distinct, and the separation between the helmet and the face must be sharp and unbroken. This is best viewed under 10x magnification.

Q: Why is my 1928-S quarter so worn?

A: These coins were workhorses of the American economy. They circulated through tens of thousands of hands during the Great Depression. Because the design had many high-relief areas, they were prone to smoothing out very quickly under normal use.

Q: Is the 1928-D worth more than the 1928-S?

A: Generally, yes. The 1928-D (Denver) has a lower mintage of about 1.6 million compared to the 2.6 million for the 1928-S. However, condition is king; a 1928-S in Mint State will always be more valuable than a heavily worn 1928-D.