Recently I acquired a P,D, S-clad, and S-silver set of the '76 Bicen Quarters and the same also in the '98 Quarter Year for my kids. All across the spectrum of each year I was truly amazed at how much more detail and strike quality was present in the '98 compared to the '76. I'm talking about only the obverse since the reverses are different between the two. So I looked at the Roosevelt Dime Proofs I have and don't see this much difference as I see in the quarters. I also have to say the '76 reverse in proof (both clad and silver) is very impressive to me.
This reminds me of the hours spent staring at 70's mint/proof sets looking for an exceptable strike. It's commonly known that 70's coin werent well struck, but I'm not sure why. A simple lack of quality control, aging equipment, cost of minting, i wonder?
I think a lot of things in the '70s weren't quite at the level they should have been. I think the quality of the American automobile was at a low point during this period.
Spagetti heads are a different design/hub from the older Washies. The new ones have lower relief and as a result are generally better struck -- which explains the different level of details you see.
