Oh, and both leaves angle left, but on the proof the tip of the leaf actually makes contact with the letter A in DOLLAR
What big windfall? A proof 64 is very common and pretty inexpensive. Though it doesn't look like a proof or SMS to me, but I could accept a PL strike from a fresh set of dies as an explanation. It could just be polished, but it doesn't really have that look to me. There tends to be some flatness around the devices when a coin is polished and this seems pretty uniform.
I'm NOT certain in the least Yankee - I can't rule ANYthing out so far... Only thing for CERTAIN is a ridge between 'A' and the leaf. I was looking for marginal concurrence of an observation made by a relatively knowledgeable dealer on the F/B page. Trying to get better snappics here....................
One easy diagnostic to distinguish Type B Proof Reverses hasn't been shown in photos thus far, so I'll add two images of 1956 quarters: 1956 Washington Quarter (Type A or Normal Reverse) 1956 Washington Quarter (Type B or Proof Reverse) OP's coin Note the much sharper corner on the eagle's left wing tip (viewer's right.) On Normal Reverse quarters, it will be noticeably weaker, fading into the fields in varying degrees, depending on strike. With many photos of Washington Quarter reverses like the Type A (including my own, probably taken quite some time ago) the light isn't always in the best position to show proper detail for the STATES or Leaf/A of DOLLAR connection. However, that sharp corner is usually a dead giveaway of a Type B Proof Reverse. The OP's coin is clearly not a proof or Type B reverse (you can also easily see that the Leaf/A connection isn't there.)
Best I can do here... The leaf appears OVER the arrowheads. The 'A' tip angles left, with a clear ridge, TO the leaf. ed.: Remember stl - I pulled this coin from circulation............
I don't think your coin matches any of the diagnostics for a Type B Proof reverse, circulated or not. My vote is still for regular 90% silver quarter.
agreed with @stldanceartist .... And let me say this...I'm sure I confused you and the matter quite a bit yesterday trying to diag on a phone screen and think out loud so to speak in my first post yesterday. I apologize.
No need to apologize phankins. Mine DOES have a ridge between 'A', and leaf - there is NO doubt about that. If it didn't, then I'd know with relative certainty that it's circulation strike. The image that I posted, asking if 'ES' was separated, is from this (below; SMS): The likelihood that mine is SMS is small. I can't, AND WON'T, say that mine is not SMS. I'm going to send it to an ANACS member soon here...
What do you mean "an ANACS member" because as far as I know, the ANACS Grading Service does not have "members"? If you are going the ANACS route, just submit it for grading and specify the variety attribution research option for an additional $12. What you DON'T need, is somebody telling you their "non-professional" opinion on the coin and then relaying what was said here. What you DO need is to submit the coin for "professional" evaluation and attribution and then post the "results" here.
ANACS / PCGS / NGC - some kind of affilite Lyds. Some of us [me] makes a few more mistakes than others... Talked with him a few weeks ago about the fake '22 no D. He said he'd send off coins for grading, as SOME authorized agent. Turns out he went to high school with my sister. Anyway, waiting for him to get back to me on new snappics here...