We are excited to release the forty-seventh coin in the CollecTons Keepers program, an exclusive series only offered by CollecTons. The forty-seventh coin we present, CollecTons Keeper #47 in the Series features the 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter .
What makes this coin a Coin Worth Keeping?
The Standing Liberty quarter was developed as a replacement for the "Barber" quarter in 1916 due to a misunderstanding. Robert Woolley, the Director of the United States Mint, misinterpreted a law requiring that coin designs remain in circulation for at least 25 years to mean that coin designs must be replaced every 25 years. Woolley met with the Commission of Fine Arts to evaluate sketches by the Mint's engraving department for new coinage designs. Dissatisfied with the sketches, the Commission enlisted three sculptors to propose new designs. The design proposed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil was selected for the new quarter. However, after encountering production difficulties with the new dime and half dollar designs, the Mint decided to alter MacNeil's design without his knowledge. The Mint's version of the quarter went into production in the beginning of 1917, although a small number of coins were minted dated 1916 to mark the quarter's official year of release. When MacNeil saw the new quarters, he objected to the changes so strongly that an act of Congress granted him the right to submit a new design, which went into production in the middle of 1917. The quarters dated 1917 before MacNeil's redesign are now referred to as Type 1, and the release later that year are designated Type 2.
The observe of the Standing Liberty Quarter depicts a semi-nude Liberty holding a shield in her left hand and an olive branch in her right. This symbolizes that the United States is a peaceful nation that is nonetheless prepared to defend itself. The reverse depicts an eagle surrounded by stars. The depiction of a bare-breasted woman was unprecedented for U.S. coinage. MacNeil's design for the Type 2 quarter added a breastplate to Liberty's chest, leading to much unfounded speculation that the change was made at the demand of an outraged public. Some in the press did not take well to the new quarter. The Philadelphia Inquirer described the depiction of Liberty as a "giant fat lady" and the coin as "a token to give away in prize packages of peanuts." These few detractors aside, the Standing Liberty Quarter has been admired by numismatists from its inception until today. The boldness of MacNeil's design and the short production run of the Type 1 make this a coin every numismatist should have in their collection.
Coin Specifications
Year: 1917
Mint: Philadelphia
Finish: Circulated
Mintage: 8,740,000
Composition:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25 grams
Diameter: 24.3mm
Edge: Reeded
What makes the CollecTons Keepers program special? Here at CollecTons, we work hard researching coins that should be part of every collection. Our goal is to utilize our knowledge in the numismatic industry to select coins worthy of being in everyone's collection! Therefore, the CollecTons Keepers program will only feature those Coins Worth Keeping.
Each coin is hand selected and given to ANACS (America's Oldest Grading Service) for grading and authentication. The coins are then sealed in an ANACs certified proprietary slab holder for long-term storage, with our limited edition label marking it a CollecTons Keeper. Collect one or collect the entire series!
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