So, I've gotten the Washington Quarter bug. I've been putting together a set of clad Washingtons ('65 to '98) and I'm using my proof sets to "compare" obverses and reverses to find nice MS examples. Is this useful? It appears that many coins are worn pretty good (especially on the Eagle's chest and leg feathers) which seems to me to be unusual for a clad coin. Are the business strikes less "sharp" or "defined" than the proofs? I know proof coins are struck multiple times, but I figure they are the same die designs.
No it's really not much use because comparing Proofs and business strikes is like comparing a Cadillac to a Chevy. Not only are all Proofs struck more than once, they are also struck with considerably more pressure, they are struck on specially prepared planchets and with specially prepared dies, and they are given special handing and packaging to try and ensure that they get no contact marks. If you want to compare business strikes then you need to compare business strikes only to other high grade business strikes. And they need to be of the same date and mint.
They're the same designs; however, as Doug pointed out they are not the same dies. The proof dies are prepared differently than the dies used to strike business strikes. The planchets used for proof coins go through a process that the planchets used for business strikes are not put through. Specifically, the proof planchets are placed in a drum with a mild cleaning solution mixed with water, and steel beads. They're then spun in that drum for about 20 minutes or so, and the steel beads are what gives the planchets a smooth, mirror finish. Business planchets don't go through that.
