1918 Quarter Dollar: A Rare And Valuable Coin

What is a 1918 quarter dollar?

The 1918 quarter dollar is a United States coin that was struck in 1918. It is the first year of the Standing Liberty quarter dollar series, which was designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, and it weighs 6.25 grams. The obverse of the coin features a standing Liberty holding a shield and an olive branch, while the reverse features an eagle perched on a rock.

The 1918 quarter dollar was the first coin to be struck with the motto "In God We Trust," which was added to all U.S. coinage in 1908.

The 1918 quarter dollar is a popular coin among collectors, and it is often used in jewelry and other decorative items.

1918 quarter dollar

The 1918 quarter dollar is a United States coin that was first struck in 1918. It is the first year of the Standing Liberty quarter dollar series, which was designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

• Obverse: Liberty standing, facing left, holding a shield and an olive branch.
• Reverse: An eagle perched on a rock, with the motto "In God We Trust" above.
• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper.
• Weight: 6.25 grams.
• Diameter: 24.3 millimeters.
• Mintage: 184,200,000.
• Designer: Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

The 1918 quarter dollar is the first coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust". The motto was added to all U.S. coinage in 1908, but the 1918 quarter dollar is the first coin to be struck with the motto. The 1918 quarter dollar is also the first coin to be designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil. MacNeil's design was selected through a competition held by the Treasury Department. His design was chosen over designs by other prominent sculptors, including James Earle Fraser and Adolph Weinman.

The 1918 quarter dollar is a popular coin among collectors. It is also a valuable coin, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars.

1. Obverse

The obverse of the 1918 quarter dollar features a standing Liberty facing left, holding a shield and an olive branch. This design was created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil and was selected through a competition held by the Treasury Department. MacNeil's design was chosen over designs by other prominent sculptors, including James Earle Fraser and Adolph Weinman.

The Liberty design on the 1918 quarter dollar is significant for several reasons. First, it is the first time that Liberty is depicted standing on a U.S. coin. Previous Liberty designs had shown her seated or walking. Second, the shield and olive branch that Liberty holds are symbols of peace and strength. The shield represents the United States' military strength, while the olive branch represents the country's desire for peace.

The obverse design of the 1918 quarter dollar is a powerful and iconic image of Liberty. It is a reminder of the country's strength and its commitment to peace.

2. Reverse

The reverse of the 1918 quarter dollar features an eagle perched on a rock, with the motto "In God We Trust" above. This design was also created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil and was selected through the same competition held by the Treasury Department.

The eagle is a symbol of strength and power, and its placement on the reverse of the 1918 quarter dollar is a reminder of the United States' military might. The motto "In God We Trust" is a statement of the country's faith in God, and its placement on the coin is a reflection of the religious beliefs of the American people.

The reverse design of the 1918 quarter dollar is a powerful and iconic image of the United States. It is a reminder of the country's strength, power, and faith.

3. Composition

The 1918 quarter dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition gives the coin a distinctive white color and a high degree of durability. Silver is a precious metal that is known for its beauty and its resistance to corrosion. Copper is a less expensive metal that is added to silver to increase its strength and hardness.

The composition of the 1918 quarter dollar is significant for several reasons. First, it is the first U.S. coin to be struck with a silver content of 90%. Previous U.S. coins had been struck with a silver content of 90%, but the 1918 quarter dollar was the first to be struck with a silver content of 90%. This increase in silver content was due to the Pittman Act of 1918, which authorized the melting of silver dollars to produce silver bullion for use in World War I.

Second, the composition of the 1918 quarter dollar makes it a valuable coin. Silver is a precious metal, and the 1918 quarter dollar contains a significant amount of silver. This makes the coin a valuable collectible, and it is often sold for a premium over its face value.

The composition of the 1918 quarter dollar is also significant because it is a reminder of the United States' history. The coin was struck during a time of great turmoil, and its composition reflects the country's commitment to strength and stability. The 1918 quarter dollar is a valuable coin, both in terms of its monetary value and its historical significance.

4. Weight

The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar is 6.25 grams. This is significant because it is the standard weight for all quarter dollars minted since 1932. Prior to 1932, quarter dollars weighed 6.45 grams. The reduction in weight was due to the devaluation of silver in 1933.

• Composition: The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar is due to its composition. The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver is a dense metal, and copper is a relatively light metal. The combination of these two metals results in a coin that is both durable and relatively lightweight.
• Size: The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar is also due to its size. The coin has a diameter of 24.3 millimeters and a thickness of 1.75 millimeters. These dimensions are slightly smaller than the dimensions of pre-1932 quarter dollars, which had a diameter of 26.5 millimeters and a thickness of 2.15 millimeters.
• Value: The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar can also affect its value. Silver is a precious metal, and the weight of the coin determines its silver content. The melt value of a 1918 quarter dollar is approximately $4.50, based on the current price of silver.
• Numismatic value: The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar can also affect its numismatic value. Numismatic value is the value of a coin to collectors. The weight of a coin can be an important factor in determining its rarity. For example, a 1918 quarter dollar that weighs less than 6.25 grams may be considered to be a rare coin and may be worth more to collectors.

The weight of the 1918 quarter dollar is an important factor to consider when evaluating the coin. The weight can provide information about the coin's composition, size, value, and numismatic value.

5. Diameter

The diameter of the 1918 quarter dollar is 24.3 millimeters. This is the same diameter as all other quarters minted since 1932. Prior to 1932, quarters had a diameter of 26.5 millimeters.

The reduction in diameter was due to the devaluation of silver in 1933. The weight of the quarter was also reduced from 6.45 grams to 6.25 grams.

The diameter of the quarter is important because it affects the coin's appearance and value. A larger diameter coin is more difficult to strike and is therefore more valuable. The diameter of the quarter also affects the coin's weight and composition.

6. Mintage

The mintage of a coin refers to the number of coins that were produced. The mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar was 184,200,000. This is a significant number of coins, and it indicates that the 1918 quarter dollar was a widely circulated coin.

• Availability: The high mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar means that it is a relatively common coin. This makes it easy to find and purchase, both for collectors and for those who are interested in using it as currency.
• Value: The high mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar also means that it is not a particularly valuable coin. It is worth more than its face value, but it is not worth as much as some other rare coins.
• Historical significance: The high mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar is a reflection of the economic conditions of the time. The United States was in the midst of World War I, and there was a great demand for coins. The high mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar helped to meet this demand.

The mintage of the 1918 quarter dollar is an important factor to consider when evaluating the coin. It can provide information about the coin's availability, value, and historical significance.

7. Designer

Hermon Atkins MacNeil was an American sculptor who designed the 1918 quarter dollar. He was selected through a competition held by the Treasury Department, and his design was chosen over designs by other prominent sculptors, including James Earle Fraser and Adolph Weinman.

MacNeil's design is significant for several reasons. First, it is the first time that Liberty is depicted standing on a U.S. coin. Previous Liberty designs had shown her seated or walking. Second, the shield and olive branch that Liberty holds are symbols of peace and strength. The shield represents the United States' military strength, while the olive branch represents the country's desire for peace.

The 1918 quarter dollar is a beautiful and iconic coin. It is a reminder of the country's strength and its commitment to peace. MacNeil's design is a major reason for the coin's popularity, and it is a testament to his skill as a sculptor.

FAQs about the 1918 quarter dollar

The 1918 quarter dollar is a popular and historic coin. Here are some frequently asked questions about it:

The 1918 quarter dollar is the first year of the Standing Liberty quarter dollar series, which was designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil. It is also the first coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust".

The 1918 quarter dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.

The 1918 quarter dollar weighs 6.25 grams.

The 1918 quarter dollar has a diameter of 24.3 millimeters.

184,200,000 1918 quarter dollars were minted.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 1918 quarter dollar. For more information, please consult a reliable source on numismatics.

Transition to the next article section: The 1918 quarter dollar is a fascinating and valuable coin. It is a reminder of the country's strength and its commitment to peace.

Conclusion

The 1918 quarter dollar is a significant and valuable coin. It is the first year of the Standing Liberty quarter dollar series, and it is the first coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust". The coin is also notable for its beautiful design, which was created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil.

The 1918 quarter dollar is a reminder of the country's strength and its commitment to peace. It is a valuable coin to collectors and a beautiful piece of American history.