gradeing coins question

It will not be above your head although as with everything Roger Burdette writes, there is a wealth of data and information. Sometimes it's more than you need at the moment but like an encyclopedia, it's there in the future for reference.

And if there's something you don't understand, you can always ask this Forum.

 

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just for an update, have read most material a few times and real close to being an expert in my own head. but only for washington proof quarters in years 36 to 42.
going to read another time to make sure the questions i have, aren't answered there.

 

They may have been struck twice many years ago, but not now. They are struck once under higher pressure at a lower rate per minute with specially prepared dies and planchets.

 

Some Proof coins from the 1936 to 1942 are weakly struck because of excessive die polishing which removed some of the design detail. This is especially true for the coins from 1940 to ‘42. An example is the Proof half dollar without the designer’s initials on the reverse and Ms. Liberty’s with a poorly defined hand.

 

The proof Walking Liberty half dollars (1936-42) have to be examined carefully for excessively polished dies. I saw a 1942 where the upper half of the reverse legend was missing due to excessive die polishing. Other points to look for are the outstretched right hand of Liberty where the palm is missing. I've seen them so bad that only the tips of the fingers show.

They can also suffer from weak strikes. One point to look for is Liberty's left hand. It is often seen with poor detail due to weak striking.