269

[L#0269] 1916 Standing Liberty 25c NGC MS66 FH

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:18,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
[L#0269] 1916 Standing Liberty 25c NGC MS66 FH
United States silver coins struck in 1916 and early 1917 possess a "textured" luster, almost velvety, unlike anything before or since. The velvety texture is most notable on sharp Mint State specimens of the new designs: Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty Quarter, Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The closest one can come in comparison is on the very rare Matte Proofs and Satin Finish Proofs also struck in the teens. The present Standing Liberty Type 1 Quarter shows this textured luster to its fullest (and, we might add, quite alluring) effect. We encourage all collectors to examine such coins for their beauty and artistry, since this was American coin art at its zenith.

This gorgeous Gem boasts a full head on Liberty as well as crisp detail elsewhere, including nice drapery folds with the one crossing the calf above the knee nicely delineated. On the reverse, too, we find almost needle-sharp feathers on the eagle. Unique to this issue is the treatment of the obverse rim ornamentation which consists of alternating lozenge-shaped bead followed by two small round beads. The only other occurrence of this feature is on the obverse of the 1918 Lincoln-Illinois commemorative half dollar. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the same gentleman engraved the dies for both, the mint's chief architect of many coin designs, none other than George T. Morgan. Morgan based his creation on the work of Hermon MacNeil (that's Hermon with an "o"). It is, of course, MacNeil's "M" that can be found just about the date cartouche to the right side on the obverse. Mintage in 1916, only 52,000. The few Mint States remaining cannot hold a candle to this fabulous MS66 Full Head specimen. (NGC holder #961314-001.)