The 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $30 in heavily worn condition to over $2,000 or more in high mint state grades. If you found one of these silver quarters tucked away in an old coin collection or inherited jar of coins, you might be sitting on a surprisingly valuable piece of American history.
What Makes the 1917-D Type 1 So Special
The 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter holds a unique place in U.S. coinage history. Designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil, this coin features Liberty standing with her right side exposed — a design that caused quite a stir when it was first released. The “Type 1” refers to this original, more open design before the U.S. Mint modified it later in 1917. The “D” mintmark tells you it was struck at the Denver Mint, which produced 1,509,200 of these coins that year.
While that sounds like a lot, most of them circulated heavily and were worn down over decades of use. Finding one in decent condition today is genuinely exciting. If you’re not sure whether what you have is the real deal, using a best coin identifier app can help you quickly identify the design type, mintmark, and approximate grade before you take it anywhere for appraisal. Tools like that can save you a lot of guesswork early on.
1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter Value by Grade
Coin values depend heavily on condition, or “grade” in collector terms. A coin that looks barely worn is worth dramatically more than one that’s been rubbed smooth. Here’s a general breakdown of what the 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter is worth at different grades:
| Grade | Description | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, major details visible | $30 – $45 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, design clear | $60 – $90 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $175 – $250 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-55) | Slight wear, most luster present | $300 – $450 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor contact marks | $700 – $1,200 |
| Mint State (MS-65) | Gem uncirculated, sharp details | $2,000+ |
For the most current auction results and certified coin sales, you can check out live price data for the 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter across mint state grades to see exactly what collectors are paying right now.
How to Tell If You Have the Type 1 or Type 2
This is one of the most common questions people ask about 1917 Standing Liberty Quarters, and it’s an important one. The Type 1 design shows Liberty’s right breast exposed and she wears no chain mail on her body. On the reverse, the eagle flies with its wings fully spread without any stars above it. The Type 2, introduced later in 1917, added a coat of mail over Liberty’s body and stars were added above the eagle on the reverse.
If your coin shows a more open, unarmored Liberty and a plain eagle with stars below the wings only, you have a Type 1 — which is generally the more desirable variety. Getting this identification right matters a lot for valuation, so take your time examining it carefully or use a magnifying glass. Apps like CoinHix can help you sort out the design type by scanning the coin directly with your phone camera.
Silver Content and Melt Value
Even a worn 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter has real intrinsic value because it’s made of 90% silver. Each coin contains about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. With silver prices frequently fluctuating, the melt value alone can be worth $4 to $6 or more depending on the current silver spot price.
That means even in the lowest grades, the coin’s silver alone gives it a floor value well above face value. Of course, collectible premiums push prices much higher for better examples. For a full breakdown of the 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter’s value across all grades and mint marks, you’ll find helpful resources that cover both silver value and collector premiums side by side.
Should You Get It Graded or Sell It As-Is
If your 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter appears to be in AU or Mint State condition, professional grading by PCGS or NGC is almost always worth the investment. A certified MS-64 or MS-65 example can sell for several times what an ungraded coin would fetch, since buyers pay a premium for verified, authenticated condition.
For circulated examples in Good to Fine grades, professional grading usually doesn’t make financial sense unless the coin shows exceptional eye appeal or unusual characteristics. In those cases, using CoinHix to get a quick market estimate before spending money on certification can help you make a smarter decision. The app gives you a real-world value snapshot based on recent sales, so you’re never going in blind.
FAQ
Q: How much is a 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter worth in circulated condition?
A: In typical circulated grades ranging from Good to Fine, expect values between $30 and $90. Coins in Extremely Fine condition can reach $175 to $250, depending on sharpness and eye appeal.
Q: How do I know if my 1917 quarter is Type 1 or Type 2?
A: Look at Liberty’s torso — if her right breast is exposed and she has no chain mail armor, it’s Type 1. Also check the eagle on the reverse; Type 1 has no stars above the eagle. If you’re still unsure, CoinHix can help identify the variety from a photo scan.
Q: Is it worth getting my 1917-D Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter professionally graded?
A: Yes, if the coin appears uncirculated or close to it. Certified high-grade examples sell for significantly more than raw coins. For coins in worn circulated condition, the grading fee may exceed the value gained, so evaluate the coin’s condition honestly before submitting.
