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Description

1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, MS66 Full Head
Exceptional Quality

1916 25C MS66 Full Head PCGS. The 1916 Standing Liberty quarter was the last of three novel and beautiful coin designs to be developed and released in 1916, along with the Mercury dime and Walking Liberty half dollar. Given the musical chairs going on at the Mint during the time, it is a wonder that three superb new numismatic designs could be launched. There were three new Mint directors in a space of two years. Robert M. Woolley served as director from March 1915 to July 1916, and his successor, F.J.H. von Engelken, managed to oversee the finishing touches to the three designs during his short term, from September 1916 to March 1917. (One wonders if he resigned from exhaustion.) Longtime Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber would also die unexpectedly during von Engelken's term, in February 1917. Stability in the director's position was restored only with the appointment of Raymond T. Baker, who would serve a respectable term of five years, from March 1917 to March 1922.

Fortunately for Baker, he had an experienced replacement in the form of George T. Morgan, who would finally succeed the less-talented Barber after serving for 41 years -- since 1876 -- in the post of assistant engraver.

Von Engelken nonetheless took charge of the Mint's three design projects, completing them with the assistance of Barber and the two designers, Adolph Weinman and Hermon MacNeil. While Barber is seen as an obstructionist of modest talent, his in-depth knowledge of the Mint requirements for high-speed coinage nonetheless enabled the modified designs to survive, succeed, and circulate -- even if Barber would have preferred his own designs.

This is one of the finest examples of the rare, low-mintage 1916 Standing Liberty quarter. The mint luster is bright and frosted. The obverse is brilliant in the center with a peripheral ring of russet, while the reverse displays just the slightest hint of color. Population: 12 in 66 Full Head, 4 finer (11/14).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 242Y, PCGS# 5705, Greysheet# 5534)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25 grams
ASW: 0.20oz
Mintage: 52,000


View Certification Details from PCGS

Auction Info

Auction Dates
January, 2015
7th-12th Wednesday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 18
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,880

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.

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