Standing Liberty Quarters

Standing Liberty Quarters

Standing liberty quarters have had a history of controversy due to the multiple designs that have been displayed. These quarters where printed and used for the years 1916-1930. This means that within a fourteen year time span that this coin was being printed the design was changed over two times. This was because the first design was liberty bare breasted which was thought to be too daring a design and which was opposed by many individuals including many that had a large amount of influence. This coin was designed by Hermon A. MacNeil.

After being asked to change the design and print a new one the new design did cover her chest and in fact had her wearing chain mail armor. This design also had the reverse side of the coin changed, with the eagle being centered and the stars that had been above it then being below it. Then in 1925 they ended up having the dates be recessed so that they would be much more firmly protected from different types of aging that you can find in some coins. 

The bare breasted liberty design had the saying ìIn God we trustî, and she held a shield in her left hand with her face turned towards it. In her right hand you could find other items and stars lined the sides of the path that she was walking through. This design is now thought of as being very attractive but had been considered to be inappropriate. With this original design, you could also find thirteen stars on each side of the eagle that was on the reverse side of the coin than lady liberty. The eagle was made with great detail as was lady liberty and other details of the coins such as her shield.