One of the key dates for the series is the issue dated 1916. With a mintage of only 52,000 pieces, it has always been sought by collectors. Due to the low mintages, the value for this key date varies from almost $2,000 for an undated 1916 to approximately $50,000. This also makes this coin highly counterfeited. You’re probably asking the question: “How can you tell it is a 1916 if it has no date?”

There are several diagnostics that can accurately verify the date of this quarter. The first is the easiest to verify. The reverse has no stars which makes it a type 1. Stars were added to the 1917 and all subsequent years. 1917 also has both type 1 and type 2 (no stars and stars). Seeing a standing liberty quarter with no stars on the reverse does not mean it is a 1916. It could still be a 1917 type 1.

The image on the left is the type 1 of an 1916 or 1917. There are no stars under the eagle. The image on the right is a type 2 with 3 stars below the eagle. These were used for all some 1917 and all the subsequent. 1917 had both type 1 and type 2 coins minted.

Here are the other diagnostics to check. All must be present for it to be a 1916.

The image on the left is the hair curl of an authentic 1916 Standing Quarter, and you can see that the second curl curves almost parallel with the large curl. The 1917 Type 1 (right image) does not curve the same and appears much straighter.

The image on the left is the bottom of the left robe of an authentic 1916 Standing Quarter, and you can see the bottom is flatter and has a smaller opening compared to the 1917 Type 1 (right image) robe bottom. Also the bottom of the robe on an authentic 1916 has a wider space in between it and the date block compared to the 1917.

The image on the left is the big toe on the right foot (as you're looking at the face of the coin) of 1916 Standing Quarter, notice that it's much larger than the toe of the 1917 in the right image. However, the toe is often smashed from wear and can look larger on a 1917, so look closely, and consider the other markers before making a final decision.