The Standing Liberty quarter was a beautiful and short-lived coin minted in the United States from 1916 to 1930. Here's a breakdown of its key features and history:

Design:

• Obverse (front): Featured Lady Liberty standing in a strong pose, draped in flowing robes, holding a shield and olive branch. This powerful depiction was a stark contrast to the seated Liberty on previous quarters.
• Reverse (back): Showcased a soaring American bald eagle.

Historical Context (1916-1930):

• Introduced in 1916, replacing the Barber quarter (1892-1916).
• Minted during a time of artistic change, with the goal of creating a more modern and inspiring design for U.S. coinage.
• Production ceased in 1930, with the Washington quarter (featuring President George Washington) taking its place to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Controversial Start:

• The initial design caused a stir because Liberty's right breast was partially exposed. The designer, Hermon Atkins MacNeil, modified the design to add a chainmail bodice in subsequent issues.

Shorter Mintage Run:

• Compared to its predecessor (Barber quarter - 25 years) and successor (Washington quarter - 50+ years), the Standing Liberty quarter's minting period was shorter (15 years).

Popularity Among Collectors:

• Despite the short run, Standing Liberty quarters are highly sought after by collectors due to their artistic merit, historical significance, and variations in design elements, mint locations, and year of issue. Certain rare dates and mintmarks can be especially valuable.

Condition and Value:

• A Standing Liberty quarter's value depends on its condition (grade), mint location (if marked), and year of issue. Common circulated examples can be found for a few dollars, while uncirculated specimens or rare varieties can bring hundreds or even thousands of dollars.