Hi guys, I recently purchased this quarter because it looked interesting in the pictures online and I took note that it resembled a proof, yet had a type A Reverse. I now have it in hand and noticed it is rather proof like on both sides, but kind of a muddled ripple reflection opposed to a proof of the same year. Does this look to be a genuine proof like quarter from fresh dies or would it be cleaned in a way to leave it without scratches beyond the ones I captured in the pictures?
With no contact marks or noticable wear on the coin, what is the reason that polishing is the definitive explanation? I'm not disagreeing or arguing, I would just appreciate the explanation as to what makes it so obvious. It was cheap enough to be a learning experience, which makes me wonder even more why someone would take an uncirculated quarter with no hit marks and go through the trouble of polishing it for no notable mark up claiming proof like. I bought it at standard proof price which I believe is what the seller assumed it was.
I suppose the person I bought it from maybe paid for PL and then thought it was polished by the previous owner and took a loss. Who knows..just wondering what makes it so definitive so I can learn somethin.
The absence of crucial flow lines. The "flatness" of the luster, and the hairlines going every which way in right and left Obverse field.
You are looking at the coin as a whole. Start looking at individual parts of the coin notice how around all the letters on the outside of the coin the polish isn't there. These are locations where the "shininess" is protected by the letters and should be the last part losing being shiny. The opposite is true here Look at the Hair and how it lacks detail. Just like if someone polished the wazoo out of it. Polishing flattens/removes details just like circulation wear. But if circulation wear, it would lose the shiny factor. look near the edges of the coin where the flat areas are protected more. Shows the signs of polishing. The letters of "in god we trust" are polished on the top, which are the higher wear locations and shouldn't be polished compared to the unpolished surfaces around the letters. Also around the edge of the rim and edges of Washington. they really went to town to polish the reverse.
I agree. Do not think a day has gone by that I have not learned something. Even some history on coin. Thats an added bonus for sure.
Welcome to CT. Having been a jewelry maker, I know the look metal has after being polished on a wheel with jewelers rouge. This quarter was indeed polished that way.
Look at the halo in the field around the devices, motto and date. Using magnification look at the edges of the letters and devices. You may see a raised edge.
