The Valuable 1930 Standing Liberty Quarter Errors (Complete Guide)
The 1930 Standing Liberty Quarter carries three documented error types that can meaningfully boost value beyond a standard circulated example. Because this was the final year of the series and the U.S. Mint maintained fairly strict quality control, surviving error coins are genuinely scarce. Below each card details exactly what the error looks like, how to spot it under magnification, and what drives collector demand and prices.
MOST FAMOUS
1. 1930 Quarter Clashed Die Error
$35 – $300+
A clashed die error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a coin planchet between them. The collision transfers a ghostly mirror impression of each die's design onto its opposite — so the reverse die picks up elements of Liberty, and the obverse die picks up eagle imagery. On the 1930 quarter, clashed die examples have been documented similarly to the well-known 1929-S FS-401 variety listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide.
The most consistent diagnostic on the 1930 clashed die is a backward "E" appearing to the left of Liberty's knee on the obverse. This is a transferred fragment of "E PLURIBUS UNUM" from the reverse die. Under angled lighting with a 10× loupe, collectors can also find faint outlines of the eagle transferred into Liberty's field. Both obverse and reverse clash marks may appear simultaneously on the same coin.
Collector demand is driven by the dramatic visual impact of clearly defined clash marks. A bold clash covering a large portion of Liberty's figure is far more desirable than a faint peripheral trace. Circulated examples with visible clashing typically bring $35–$75 over standard value. Uncirculated specimens in MS-63 to MS-65 with dramatic clashing can reach $150–$300 or more, especially when paired with a Full Head designation.
BEST KEPT SECRET
2. 1930-S Quarter RPM FS-501 (Repunched Mint Mark)
$50 – $250+
The 1930-S RPM FS-501 is a formally catalogued repunched mint mark variety. It occurred when the "S" mint mark punch was applied to the working die more than once, with the second impression landing at a slightly different position than the first. The result is a visibly doubled or offset "S" that can be confirmed under magnification — making this one of the most satisfying finds for a Standing Liberty quarter specialist.
Under a 10× loupe, look for a secondary "S" impression either above, below, or to one side of the primary "S." The doubling may appear as a shadow letter, a doubled serif, or a noticeably thicker upstroke on one side of the "S" curve. The mint mark is located on the obverse, just to the left of and slightly above the date on the recessed date pedestal of the Type 3 design. Under higher magnification, both impressions of the letter are distinct.
The FS-501 designation comes from the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers' Guide, the authoritative reference for U.S. coin varieties. NGC and PCGS both recognize and attribute this variety on certified holders. Collectors value the FS-501 both for its documented status and for the added difficulty of locating 1930-S examples in well-preserved condition — the San Francisco issue is already the scarcer of the two 1930 mints. Examples that also carry the Full Head designation are especially sought.
RAREST ERROR
3. 1930 Quarter Strike Through Error
$150 – $600+
A strike through error occurs when a foreign object — a wire, cloth fiber, string, or metal shaving — falls between the die and the coin planchet during the striking process. The object physically blocks metal from flowing into the die cavity in that area, leaving a recessed channel, groove, or smooth depression on the coin's surface exactly where the design should appear. The 1930 Standing Liberty Quarter, struck on a 90% silver planchet with tight tolerances, is particularly susceptible to capturing dramatic examples of this error type.
On the obverse, look for a clean, sharply defined groove or channel running across Liberty's figure, shield, or the field area. Strike through wire or string errors produce narrow, linear channels; struck-through cloth or debris produce broader, irregular impressions. The recessed area will have smooth, undisturbed metal on both sides, distinguishing it from post-mint damage (which leaves raised metal edges or bruising). Examine under magnification with raking light for best visibility.
Surviving strike through examples on 1930 quarters are genuinely scarce. Quality control at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints during the Standing Liberty series era was generally rigorous, with workers stationed to remove visibly defective planchets and struck coins. The combination of strict quality control and the coin's age means that authenticated examples rarely surface. Value depends heavily on the severity and location — a bold strike through crossing Liberty's face or shield rivets commands the highest premiums, with dramatic uncirculated examples potentially exceeding $600.
