Hair tail separate from back neck hair , ear hollow just a loop, how did this happen? My guess it was polished out? Is this common?
Check other Wash. Quarters and you will see the same or similar condition. I see these issues you mention as normal DDD. IMO
When I google missing earlobe 1996 P this comes up, check it out ; ) the only difference is most of them have cud/rim errors so I don't know the premium for this.
Here's one for sale on ETSY: The same seller has it listed on eBay. Note the price change. EDIT. There's more listings. One for $150 on eBay. Personally I don't think it's worth more than a few dollars but to each his/her/their own.
So your answer is that there is no monetary value over .25... I don't know the answer to your question (see how I answered that without being a smart*ss?)
BRAVA! I'll say that I wouldn't OVERPAY for one but I think it's a nice example of an over polished and over worked die, so I'd keep ONE as an example. ( But then I collect the mechanical failures )
Almost as if the die wasn't properly hubbed - lots of the highest point (on the hub) details are missing.
Strange in that area but I'm thinking the Die became damaged and since it was minor it was polished to extend the life of the Die. Nice but a minor error. Those prices are insane.
I agree the prices on the Internet are insane, I rarely look to the internet for reference in terms of premium. In circulation for 25 years and I found it, priceless!!!
Upon first looking, I thought just an over polished die and NAV IMO. I'll have to look closer at my quarters now.
The internet and especially ebay are getting outrageous on pricing. I'm putting more emphasis on local bank rolls and dealers than the net. My opinion
Basis Die life, there are approx. 99.5% more of those minor die polished quarters in circulation than there are collectors who want them. That applies to the vast majority of common, mainly minor, die polishing - because it's so common and minor in most cases. Yes, it's an educational coin to see what die polishing does to a die, and I congratulate the OP for spotting it during their search, but as others have said, it is an educational coin only - no numismatic significance or value.