a question on proof quarters

A question about real or doctored. basically are non proof polished up to create a proof appearance good enough it is really hard to tell. even magnified. in other words are there fakes out there. i know pics.

 

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the mirror finish is seemingly thin and does not reach the edge of washington, or in god we trust, and it does appear to have some kind of odd finish near the back of the hair.

the reverse look the same as most other proofs i have, save for the thin mirror.

 

To me it just looks like it was minted by a fresh die.

 

A lot of residues especially on the reverse, appears to be polish, uneven toning. Striation marks on both sides. Just my opinion, wait for others to chime in. Good luck.

 

Looks polished to me too.

 

Couple things. A proof strike will always have very squared rims. Once you handle a few, you will see what I mean. It is the first and most obvious clue to a proof strike.... Secondly, it isn't uncommon to find earlier coins that have been polished. It wasn't unusual for curio builders to use US coins in their products and they were frequently polished before they were used in the piece.... Finally, teach yourself how to identify luster. Luster is the affect of microscopic flow lines that are created when a coin is struck. Easiest way is to take a few freshly struck quarters out in the sunlight and tilt them around in the sun. You can see the cartwheel or luster glinting in the sunlight... If the coin displays no luster, then yes it is likely polished.

 

Yes there are fakes out there, and the one you posted is not a very good imposter.
It really has fake written all over it. IMHO.

 

To me, it doesn't look "fake" in that someone tried to fake a "proof" coin, but it does look like someone tried to improve the looks of an already solid real business strike coin.

Your pics show it in a holder, but is it in an actual TPG graded holder?...or just a generic holder? If it's labeled, what does the label indicate?

It seems certain that it has been "tinkered" with; it is a genuine coin but not a proof.

 

That coin does not look like a proof and I cannot imagine it is trying to masquerade as one. It looks like a polished circulated business strike.

 

squared rims, me thinks i have a non proof struck, but worthy of a place in the collection as a "faux proof". will post pic later as to the difference.
i will be demote my self to private quarter soon. this is 0 for 4 on this vendor and an expensive lesson.

 

is there a proof here?

 

raw coins

 

first on left

 

i try to learn something every day, this was one.

 

I guess while we're at it, also remember the 1936 Washington quarter proof is a low mintage coin and should sell for around $500 or more, depending on grade.
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1936-25c/5975
Some auction records and nice photos as well. Note the lack of detail on your coin - proofs are struck multiple times and will show all the detail.
Here's one that I bet will stay affordable since it's kinda ugly, if you want a real one:
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-191QPU/1936-washington-quarter-proof-64-pcgs

 

It's gunna take some time before i can find anything less than full details on these polished coins. and this by comparison. the fotos don't show most of the fine details due to reflection.

 

Sorry, but I really don't care for that one. It does not have the surface that I would expect on a 1936 Proof quarter. It looks more shiny than like a Proof. Here's one that is graded PR-65.

 

Compare hair detail and the eagle's breast to @johnmilton 's photo above.

 

Looks like it’s a plated business strike. Nickel plate is very shiny. It does make the coin ferromagnetic, slightly attracted to a magnet
If silver plated it will tarnish quickly

 

That says it all. This should look more like an impaired proof because of the details, not a proof that just came off the market. Definitely a polished circulation quarter.