The 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter is worth anywhere from $15 in heavily worn condition to well over $2,000 or more in higher mint state grades. If you found one of these silver quarters tucked away in an old coin collection or inherited jar, you may be sitting on something genuinely valuable — especially if the coin still shows good detail.
What Makes the 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter Special
The 1927-S was minted at the San Francisco Mint and carries the small “S” mintmark on the obverse, just above and to the left of the date. This issue had a mintage of 396,000 coins — making it one of the lower-mintage dates in the entire Standing Liberty Quarter series.
That relatively small production run means far fewer survivors exist today compared to other years in the series. Collectors actively seek this coin, and competition for high-grade examples drives prices up fast.
If you want a quick, accurate read on what your coin is worth before spending time researching, using a free coin identifier app is a great first step. Apps like CoinHix let you scan your coin and get real-time value estimates based on current market data — no expertise required.
How Condition Affects the 1927-S Quarter Value
With most old coins, condition is everything — and the 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter is no exception. These coins circulated heavily, and many survivors show significant wear on Liberty’s head and the shield detail. The date on Standing Liberty Quarters is also notoriously prone to wear, sometimes fading to the point of being nearly unreadable.
Here’s a general value breakdown based on grade:
| Grade | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| AG-3 / G-4 | Heavy wear, design visible but flat | $15 – $30 |
| VG-8 / F-12 | Moderate wear, some detail remains | $35 – $80 |
| VF-20 / VF-35 | Light to moderate wear, clearer features | $100 – $250 |
| EF-40 / AU-55 | Slight wear on high points, mostly sharp | $300 – $700 |
| MS-60 to MS-63 | Uncirculated, some bag marks | $800 – $1,500 |
| MS-64 and above | Gem uncirculated, sharp and lustrous | $2,000+ |
For the most up-to-date figures based on actual auction results, you can explore current 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter prices in mint state grades directly on CoinHix, which tracks real sales data across major coin markets.
The Silver Content and Its Role in Value
One thing every coin finder should know: all Standing Liberty Quarters, including the 1927-S, are made of 90% silver. Each coin contains approximately 0.1808 troy ounces of silver.
That means even a badly worn example is worth something simply because of its metal content. With silver prices typically ranging between $25 and $32 per ounce in recent years, the melt value alone gives the coin a solid floor.
So even if your coin is too worn for a collector to get excited about, it’s never completely worthless. That’s good news for anyone who digs one of these out of a drawer.
How to Identify Your 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter
Standing Liberty Quarters were designed by sculptor Hermon Atkins MacNeil and were minted from 1916 through 1930. The obverse features Liberty standing in a gateway, draped in a chain mail vest, holding a shield. The reverse shows a flying eagle surrounded by stars.
To confirm you have a 1927-S specifically, check the date on the obverse — it should clearly read “1927” — and look for the “S” mintmark. No mintmark means it’s a Philadelphia issue, while a “D” would indicate Denver.
If you’re unsure about what you’re looking at, CoinHix makes it easy to scan and identify the coin using your phone camera. The app cross-references your image against a large coin database and returns an identification along with a current value estimate — useful whether you’re a first-time finder or a seasoned hobbyist.
For a deeper look at how the date, mintmark, and condition all come together to determine what your coin is worth, this detailed breakdown of 1927 Standing Liberty Quarter values by grade and mint is worth bookmarking.
Where to Sell a 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter
If you’ve confirmed what you have and want to turn it into cash, you have several good options. Online auction platforms like eBay regularly see these coins sell, and you can compare recent “sold” listings to calibrate your expectations.
Coin dealers and local coin shows are also solid options, especially if you want an immediate offer without waiting for an auction to end. For higher-grade examples, submitting your coin to a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC before selling can significantly increase buyer confidence and final sale price.
CoinHix also connects users to current market listings, so you can see what similar coins are fetching right now — a smart move before you name your price.
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FAQ
Q: How many 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarters were minted?
A: The San Francisco Mint produced 396,000 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarters, making it one of the lower-mintage issues in the series and a key date for collectors.
Q: Is the 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter made of real silver?
A: Yes. Like all Standing Liberty Quarters, the 1927-S is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, containing about 0.1808 troy ounces of pure silver. Even heavily worn examples retain bullion value.
Q: What is the most valuable version of the 1927-S Standing Liberty Quarter?
A: The highest-grade, fully struck examples — particularly those graded MS-65 or above by PCGS or NGC — can sell for several thousand dollars. Full Head (FH) designation, indicating sharp detail on Liberty’s helmet, adds a significant premium to any grade.
