1916 Standing Liberty Quarter. MS-65 FH (PCGS). Here is a particularly desirable example of the key date 1916 Standing Liberty quarter issue. This coin offers superior technical quality and outstanding visual appeal. The strike is very full, with bold to sharp detail to virtually all design elements. Frosty luster swirls around both sides and blends nicely with iridescent pastel powder blue, apricot and champagne-pink toning. The smooth surfaces are suggestive of an even higher grade.Hermon A. MacNeils Standing Liberty quarter of 1916 is generally considered one of the high-water marks of American coin design, along with the Winged Liberty (a.k.a. Mercury) dime and Walking Liberty half dollar. MacNeil submitted plaster models which the Mints engravers and sculptors modified significantly, apparently without input from MacNeil. Although it is widely believed that the addition of the chain mail to Liberty in 1917 resulted from widespread public outcry regarding the exposed breast, there is no evidence that this was the case. Numismatic scholar Roger W. Burdette has not uncovered any supporting documentation to that effect. In fact, MacNeil had proposed the design change (along with some modifications to the reverse) in reaction to the Mints modifications to his original designs before the coins were even released to the general public. The chain mail was added to symbolize Libertys preparedness to defend the nation with the coming of the United States involvement in World War I.The 52,000 1916-dated Standing Liberty quarters were struck late in the year and released in mid-January alongside the first 1917-dated quarters. As far more 1917 Type I quarters were struck, more of those were saved as keepsakes. The 1916 Standing Liberty quarter has become one of the most sought after 20th century U.S. Mint issues. The Pogue specimen is a premium quality coin for both the issue and the assigned grade and should attract very strong bidding.
