Tips From the Grading Room Part 1

Welcome to the first installment of a new series we're calling "Tips from the Grading Room." Each issue we'll take a look at a different aspect of grading a particular series, and share a few insights with you.

For our first series, we'll examine exactly what constitutes a "Full Head" Standing Liberty Quarter.

Full Head (FH) is the designation that follows the numerical grade of some Standing Liberty quarters that have full detail in the head and cap of Miss Liberty. For coins that grade AU-50 and higher, this designation is assigned when full head and cap detail is present for the three varieties of the two major design types (Type I: 1916, 1917; Type II: 1917–1930).

The Type I exhibits only slight differences between the 1916 and 1917 head detail. Since different criteria for the three basic varieties will determine whether FH status is assigned, the descriptions and minimum detail necessary for Full Head status are listed separately.

We'll examine photographically each of these head styles; illustrating a 100% Full Head, a minimum Full Head, and one that just falls short of the Full Head classification.

1916 Style Head

The minimum head and cap detail required for the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter is the most difficult to verbalize. Since there is not a great deal of detail in the original head design consisting mainly of very fine lines or strands of hair, one must look for overall sharpness in this area to determine FH status.

Some coins of this date will have the full-intended detail but have some slight overall mushiness and still qualify for FH status. Others may have bolder lines without the general mushiness, but with slight weakness in several strands and still attain the FH designation. As long as the hair is distinct and the strands do not blend into Miss Liberty's head or cap, the coin will be designated Full Head.

Note: 1916 Standing Liberty quarters with both exceptionally bold strands of hair and no mushiness or blending of the hair detail are the exceptions and may command a significant premium.

The photo at far left illustrates a totally Full Head for a 1916 issue. Note the complete, though slightly mushy detail in the hair behind the eye. The hairline behind the cheek is complete, though again, not sharply defined. The middle photo illustrates the minimum detail necessary for a Full Head on a 1916 issue. Some flat spots appear in the hair, but the hairline is still barely visible. The photo on the far right falls short of a Full Head. There is no hairline visible as the forehead merges with the hair.

1917 Type I Style Head

The head detail is slightly modified and strengthened considerably for the 1917 Type I issues. Instead of hair strands, cords are now present and the mushiness associated with the majority of the 1916 issues is absent. If these hair cords are well-defined and distinct, the FH designation is warranted.

There should be a distinct separation between these hair cords and the cap of Miss Liberty, with any blending being extremely minor. This date is the best-struck Standing Liberty quarter, including not only the head area, but also the entire coin, which often is 100 percent fully struck.

Note: Almost all Philadelphia Mint 1917 Type I quarters have Full Heads, and many Denver Mint coins are Full Head; only the San Francisco Mint 1917 Type I quarters are not often seen with Full Heads.

The photo at left illustrates a totally Full Head for a 1917 issue. The hair behind the eye and cheek is very sharply defined, forming a very clear border between the facial area as well as the helmet behind. The middle photo shows the complete hairline, but it is considerably flatter and less detailed than the photo at far left. This illustrates the minimum qualifications for a Full Head designation on a 1917 Type I Quarter.

Note that over two thirds of 1917 Type I Quarters qualify for Full Head status. The photo at far right shows a coin that just misses a Full Head call. Note that the hairline is indistinct, and merges with the area just behind the eye.

1917-1930 Type II Style Head

In mid-year 1917, a major modification occurred in the entire design, with the head detail totally changed. Now there is a distinctive helmet-like cap with a three-leaved (or sprigged), wreath; an outline that runs down the face and curves back below the ear; hair detail that is cordlike; and a lower hair curl. Sometimes, in a less complete strike, this curl merges with the hairline, and leaves only a small, round hole for an ear.

For the FH designation, 90 to 100 percent of the detail intended must be present. In most cases, this means there must be three complete and distinct leaves present (they must be separate from each other and the other details of the hair, with only the slightest blending); the hairline must be distinct all the way around the face; the hair detail will be distinct, although some slight weakness or blending is allowed; and the lower hair curl, or in the case of a slightly weaker strike the ear hole, must be visible. If any of the above is not present to the degree specified, the Full Head designation will not be assigned.

The left photo illustrates a 100% Full Head on a Type II Quarter. Note the exceptionally distinct hairline, the three separate sprigs and the lower hair curl below the ear. The middle photo shows the minimum required detail for a Full Head designation on a Type II. You can still see a complete hairline, three leaf sprigs and the center hole for the ear. On the photo at right, the hairline has blended with the forehead, and the sprigs are no longer totally visible. Of course, far less detail is often seen on the "flat" heads, sometimes with nothing but an outline of the head visible.