1926-S 25C Standing Liberty Quarter PCGS MS64

The Standing Liberty Quarter came to be as the result of an invitational competition for new silver coin designs that included three renowned sculptors: Adolph A. Weinman, Albin Polasek and Hermon MacNeil. It was in that manner that Hermon MacNeil won the commission to replace Charles E. Barber's 24-year-old Liberty Head design in 1916. 

PCGS has graded 131 examples as MS64 with 115 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $2,250.00 in MS64.

Hermon Atkins MacNeil, in 1907, the artist who crafted the stunning design on the Standing Liberty quarter (1916-1930). Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

We are fortunate to have the artist's own words to explain his inspiration for the imagery on the Standing Liberty quarter. It was in an article published in the July 21, 1916, edition of the Aberdeen, Washington Territory, Herald that MacNeil explained his process and artwork:

“It seemed to me a good plan to try to typify in the issue of the new coins not only our country’s development artistically, but also to express, so far as possible, the development of the country itself since the last issue, some 25 years ago.

“With this in mind, it seemed to me that the idea most in the minds of the whole people these last few years was an awakening from the slumber of security in their own strength. It is a well understood fact that strength trained doubles its value and efficiency, so in the obverse of the coin I suggested the figure of Liberty in the act of uncovering her shield to typify preparedness, and had her also bearing the olive branch to signify there was no aggressive idea to it.

“From the point of view of numismatics, as well as carrying out this idea, I placed the figure stepping forward to what might be called the gateway of the country.

“Artistically, you will understand that it is a very difficult thing anyway, even without the prescribed limitations, to express in so small a thing as a coin anything more than the mere kernel of an idea.”