The 1929-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth between $15 in heavily worn condition and over $450 in high-end uncirculated grades. This classic silver coin represents one of the final years of a beloved American design, making it a popular find for casual treasure hunters and serious numismatists alike.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$15 – $20
Fine (F-12)	$30 – $40
Extremely Fine (XF-40)	$65 – $85
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$150 – $220
Mint State (MS-65 FH)	$450+

Historical Significance of the 1929-S Standing Liberty Quarter

The 1929-S Standing Liberty Quarter arrives from a fascinating era in American history. Just before the Great Depression gripped the nation, the San Francisco Mint produced 1,764,000 of these quarters. While this might sound like a high number, it is actually quite modest compared to modern quarters, contributing to its status as a semi-scarce date in the series.

If you have found one of these in an old cigar box or passed down through a family collection, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark instantly. The design itself, created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, features Lady Liberty walking through a gate, holding a shield and an olive branch. This symbolized America’s desire for peace backed by the strength of defense following World War I.

By 1929, the design had been modified from its original 1916 version. The date was recessed deeper into the pedestal to prevent it from wearing away too quickly—a common problem with earlier versions. Because of this change, 1929 quarters are much easier to identify than their predecessors from a decade earlier. When assessing your collection, the CoinKnow app is a great tool for managing your inventory and tracking market trends.

Identifying the “S” Mint Mark and Coin Composition

Before you get too excited about the value, you must ensure your coin was actually minted in San Francisco. The “S” mint mark is located on the obverse (the front) of the coin. Look just to the left of the date, near the star at Lady Liberty’s feet. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia; if there is a “D,” it came from Denver.

The 1929-S Standing Liberty Quarter is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This means that even if the coin is nearly flat from wear, it still has “melt value” based on the current price of silver. Each quarter contains roughly 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. However, because this is a collectible date, its numismatic value almost always exceeds its raw silver value.

Understanding the secondary market is vital for any hobbyist. You can find detailed 1929 quarter value charts that explain how the silver spot price influences the floor price for these coins. For a truly accurate assessment, many collectors rely on CoinKnow to get real-time data on precious metal content and collector demand.

Feature	Specification
Weight	6.25 grams
Diameter	24.3 mm
Composition	90% Silver, 10% Copper
Mint Mark	“S” (San Francisco)

Determining the Grade and Condition

The value of any 1929-S quarter depends heavily on its “grade”—a professional way of saying how much wear the coin has. Most coins found in change or old jars fall into the “Good” or “Fine” categories. In these states, Liberty’s gown will be mostly smooth, and the feathers on the eagle’s wings on the back will be worn down.

Higher grades like “About Uncirculated” or “Mint State” are where the prices begin to climb significantly. A coin that has never been spent and retains its original luster (that shiny, “new coin” glow) is a prize for any collector. You should check the 1929-S quarter MS grade prices to see just how much of a premium these high-quality specimens command.

To grade your coin at home, look at the rivets on the shield and the lines in Liberty’s hair. If these details are sharp and clear, you may have a coin worth hundreds of dollars. Many users find that taking a high-resolution photo and uploading it to CoinKnow helps them compare their coin against professional grading standards without having to pay for an expensive appraisal right away.

The “Full Head” (FH) Designation Bonus

In the world of Standing Liberty Quarters, there is a special designation called “Full Head” (FH). This is used by professional graders to describe coins that have a crisp, complete strike on Lady Liberty’s head. On most quarters, this part of the design is weak because it was the highest point of the coin and the hardest to strike perfectly.

To qualify for an FH designation, you must be able to see the distinct ear, the hairline, and the cheekbone of Liberty. A 1929-S with a Full Head is significantly more valuable than one without it. For example, while a standard MS-65 might sell for $400, a 1929-S MS-65 FH could easily fetch $800 or more at auction.

Because this detail is so minute, it is often missed by the average person. If you think your quarter has a particularly sharp image of Liberty, it is worth looking at under a magnifying glass. The difference in price can be the difference between a nice dinner out and a major car repair payment.

Grade Designation	Price Range (Approx.)
MS-63 Regular	$180 – $210
MS-63 Full Head	$350 – $400
MS-66 Regular	$600 – $700
MS-66 Full Head	$2,500+

Why the 1929-S Quarter is a Great Investment

As the United States moved toward the 1930s, the Standing Liberty Quarter was nearing the end of its life. In 1932, the design was replaced by the Washington Quarter we know today to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday. Because the series was cut short, Standing Liberty Quarters have become a “closed” set that is manageable for collectors to complete.

The 1929-S is particularly attractive because it is the last San Francisco issue of the series. Collectors often seek out “last year” or “late-series” coins because they characterize the peak of the minting technology for that specific design. This ensures a steady demand, which helps the 1929-S maintain its value even when other coin prices fluctuate.

If you are looking to start a coin collection as a hedge against inflation or simply as a fun hobby, this quarter is a perfect entry point. It is affordable enough for beginners in lower grades, yet has the potential for massive growth in higher grades. Keeping track of your collection’s value over time is easy when you use tools like the CoinKnow app, which provides historical pricing data at your fingertips.

How to Store and Protect Your Vintage Quarters

Once you’ve identified that your 1929-S quarter is worth more than its 25-cent face value, you must protect it. The biggest enemies of silver coins are moisture, skin oils, and PVC. Never store your coins in soft plastic baggies, as the chemicals can cause “PVC damage,” a green film that eats into the silver surface.

Instead, invest in archival-quality flips or hard plastic capsules. If your coin is in exceptional condition, you might even consider sending it to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC. A “slabbed” coin is guaranteed for its grade and authenticity, which makes it much easier to sell later for a fair price.

Handle your coins only by the edges. Even clean hands have natural oils that can leave permanent fingerprints on the silver surface over time. By taking these simple steps, you ensure that your 1929-S Standing Liberty Quarter remains a valuable piece of American history for the next generation to enjoy.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if my 1929-S quarter is real?

A: Real 1929-S quarters should weigh approximately 6.25 grams and be non-magnetic. You should also check the mint mark “S” for any signs of tampering or gluing. Comparing your coin’s details with images on CoinKnow is a reliable way to verify its authenticity.

Q: Is a 1929-S quarter more valuable than a 1929-P or 1929-D?

A: Generally, yes. The San Francisco (S) mint had the lowest mintage of the three locations in 1929. However, the condition is the ultimate deciding factor. A mint-condition Philadelphia coin will always be worth more than a beat-up San Francisco coin.

Q: Where is the best place to sell my old silver quarters?

A: For the best price, consider selling to a reputable local coin shop or using a specialized numismatic auction site. Avoid “We Buy Gold” kiosks or pawn shops, as they usually only pay the silver melt value and ignore the collector value.

Q: Does cleaning the coin increase its value?

A: No! Never clean your coins. Cleaning causes microscopic scratches that collectors can easily spot. A cleaned coin can lose up to 50-90% of its collector value compared to an uncleaned coin with natural patina.