The 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $10 in heavily worn condition to well over $500 in higher mint state grades — and top-tier examples have sold for thousands at auction. If you found one of these coins and are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto, the short answer is yes, absolutely keep reading.
What Makes the 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter Special
The 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter was struck at the San Francisco Mint, identified by the small “S” mintmark on the obverse. This date is considered a mid-range issue in the Standing Liberty Quarter series — not the rarest, but certainly not common in nice condition either.
Standing Liberty Quarters were designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil and minted from 1916 to 1930. The design features Lady Liberty standing in an open gateway, draped in a flowing gown, and it’s widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coin designs in American history.
The 1928-S had a mintage of 2,644,000 coins — relatively modest by modern standards. That lower mintage, combined with the fact that most circulated examples show significant wear to Lady Liberty’s head and shield, means finding a well-preserved example is genuinely exciting.
If you’re not sure what you have in hand, a coin identifier and value app can help you quickly identify the date, mintmark, and grade of your coin before you decide what to do with it.
1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter Value by Grade
Coin value depends almost entirely on condition. Here’s a breakdown of what the 1928-S is generally worth across different grades:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, major details visible | $10 – $15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | Moderate wear, some detail | $15 – $25 |
| Fine (F-12) | Even wear, clear design | $25 – $40 |
| Very Fine (VF-30) | Light wear on high points | $45 – $80 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-45) | Slight wear, sharp details | $100 – $175 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor marks | $300 – $500 |
| Mint State (MS-65+) | Gem quality, full luster | $800 – $3,000+ |
For the most current auction results and certified pricing data, you can check out 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter mint state price trends to see what collectors are actually paying right now.
Full Head Coins Are Worth Far More
One thing that sets Standing Liberty Quarters apart from other series is the importance of the “Full Head” designation. On a Full Head (FH) coin, Lady Liberty’s facial features — including her hairline, eye, and ear — are completely struck and fully defined.
Because the head was positioned on a high point of the die, it wore down quickly during striking and in circulation. The result is that most 1928-S quarters you’ll find have a flat, worn head even when the rest of the coin looks decent.
A 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter graded MS-63 Full Head can be worth two to three times more than a non-Full Head coin in the same grade. At gem levels, the difference in value can be dramatic — sometimes thousands of dollars apart.
If you’re serious about understanding exactly what your coin is worth, CoinHix is a great tool for tracking certified coin values across grades and special designations like Full Head.
How to Check Your 1928-S Quarter’s Condition
Most people who find old quarters have no idea how to grade them — and that’s completely normal. Here’s a simple way to start evaluating your coin at home.
First, look at Lady Liberty’s head under good lighting. If you can clearly see the individual strands of her hair and her facial features, you may have a better-grade or even Full Head example. If the head looks flat and washed out, the coin has significant wear.
Next, check the date and mintmark. On the 1928-S, the “S” mintmark sits just below and to the right of the eagle on the obverse. Make sure both are clearly readable.
Finally, avoid cleaning the coin. A cleaned coin loses significant collector value, even if it looks shiny. Leave it as-is and get a professional opinion if you think it might be worth something substantial.
You can also explore detailed 1928 quarter value information by date and mintmark to compare your specific coin against known price benchmarks.
Is the 1928-S Worth Selling or Keeping
If your 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter is in circulated condition, it’s a solid find worth $10 to $100 depending on the grade. That’s meaningful value from a coin that might have been sitting in a jar for decades.
If it’s in uncirculated condition or shows Full Head details, you could be holding something genuinely valuable — potentially several hundred to several thousand dollars. In that case, getting the coin professionally graded by PCGS or NGC is worth the investment.
Use CoinHix or a good coin pricing app to do your research before visiting a dealer, so you know what you have going in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter is real?
A: Authentic examples weigh 6.25 grams and are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Look for the “S” mintmark on the obverse near the eagle’s wing. If you’re unsure, a local coin dealer or a digital coin identifier app can help you verify authenticity quickly.
Q: What does “Full Head” mean and does my coin have it?
A: Full Head refers to the complete striking of Lady Liberty’s facial details — her hairline, eye, and ear must all be sharp and fully defined. To check, examine the head under magnification or bright light. If her features look flat or worn smooth, it likely does not qualify as Full Head, which significantly affects its value.
Q: Where is the best place to sell a 1928-S Standing Liberty Quarter?
A: For circulated examples in lower grades, eBay or local coin shops are fine options. For higher-grade or Full Head coins, consider submitting to PCGS or NGC for certification first, then selling through a reputable auction house like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers. Certified coins consistently sell for more than raw, ungraded examples. CoinHix can help you track recent sale prices before you list.