It depends.
If you have a quarter dollar like one of the America the Beautiful issues that has been plated in gold, it is worth its face value of $0.25.
If you have a 2016-W Standing Liberty Quarter, it is worth upwards of $900 at the time of this writing.
Gold Standing Liberty Quarters vs Gold-Plated Quarters
The difference between these coins is the 2016-W Standing Liberty Quarter Centennial was struck from fine gold to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hermon MacNeil’s 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter. Like other U.S. Mint coins from the turn of the 20th century, the original issue was issued with a 90% silver, 10% copper composition.
The 2016-W Standing Liberty Gold Quarter and other 2016-W Centennial Releases
The 2016-W Gold Standing Liberty Quarter Centennial was issued with a limited mintage: Only 125,000 quarters were authorized, making it a fairly rare coin. The Centennial reissue was minted at the West Point Mint branch and has ¼ ounce of .9999 fine gold. The one quarter ounce gold Centennial Standing Liberty Quarter can make an excellent investment vehicle due to its low mintage and high purity.
Collectors and numismatists appreciate the historical significance of the design. The revived Standing Liberty provides investors an opportunity to connect with numismatic history.
Two other centennial releases featuring beloved U.S. Mint designs were issued in 2016 from the U.S. Mint at West Point. The 2016-W Gold Walking Liberty Half Dollar Centennial which depicts Adolph A. Weinman’s classic design of Walking Liberty in a stunning half ounce .9999 fine gold coin.
The third centennial gold issue was the 2016-W 1/10 ounce Gold Mercury Dime, another of Adolph A. Weinman’s classic designs in one tenth ounce of .9999 fine gold.
Each of these gold coins features allegorical representations of Liberty shown in the style of classical goddesses and were each offered in limited quantities. These coins honored the designers MacNeil and Weinman and offered an opportunity to add the enduring beauty of their numismatic art to coin collectors.
Gold Plated Quarters
Gold-plated quarters are standard quarter dollars with a thin layer of gold coating the surface and do not command a high premium. The plating is done by a third party not authorized by the U.S. Mint, and the gold is typically less than 0.003 of an inch thick. Few coin dealers will buy gold-plated coins since they are technically damaged coins.
The 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
The Standing Liberty Quarter was first issued in 1916. The obverse features Liberty with a torch in her raised right hand and a shield and olive branch in her left hand. The reverse depicts an eagle in flight with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and QUARTER DOLLAR around the coin’s edges and ten stars separating the upper and lower text.
There are two types of Standing Liberty Quarters. Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarters depicted Liberty with an exposed breast, which was controversial upon its release and modified on the Type 2 Standing Liberty Quarters to cover her chest with chain mail.
Adding to the two distinct types of Standing Liberty Quarter is the strike character, Full Head, which is awarded to Standing Liberty Quarters that depict a well-struck head and meet other criteria specific to grading organizations.
Whether you collect 1916 issues of these coins or the 2016 centennial releases from the West Point Mint, both stand as testaments to the enduring spirit of the United States reflected through her coinage.
