1964 Washington Quarter Business Strike- Includes Mirrors! PL

PocketArt

I had purchased this quarter earlier this year for around $7. Hoping for at least a star, or, even perhaps full PL. Submitted to NGC. Obverse is crazy PL+, and reverse is strong semi-pl. Rare as hens teeth for PL in '64.

cladking

Nothing common about that!

cameonut2011

I see too much mint frost for the reverse to be fully PL, but the obverse is definitely all there and very eye appealing. The coin should, from my experiences with PL and semi-PL coinage, star. What I find unusual (in a good way) is that most of the PL coins for silver Washington quarters are from San Francisco in the 1940s and 1950s and are covered with heavy die polish lines that can take away from the eye appeal for many. Yours doesn't have that issue.

Smudge

Very smooth pl surfaces, just a little baggy.

ricko

Wow... that is certainly an impressive Washington Quarter... Very nice, be sure to come back and let us know the verdict. Cheers, RickO

PocketArt

Yes, very true @cameonut2011 concerning die polish lines with the '40's, and '50's PL's. I'm curious if polishing methods had changed since this '64 PL obverse, or, just a superior job at buffing out the lines. I personally believe some obverse proof dies entered production, as several type "B" are noted earlier on as well concerning reverse. IDK, maybe this specimen was one of the first dozen, or, so coined off a proof die for business strike, or, just a refined method of polishing out scratches? I included some '40's stars, and full proof like '43-s. My later PL's in Washington series, early '70's do resemble the '64 so I'm leaning to a change with polishing as those '70 PL's resemble more of a SMS type finish in fields. Thank you.

All of these '40's San Fran show much polishing lines in fields.

1943-S Washington Quarter PL

1946-S Obverse PL

1947-S/S Obverse PL

RogerB

It might be "proof like" if it fits the same criteria as other PL coins such as Morgan dollars or seated halves.

cameonut2011

@PocketArt said:
Yes, very true @cameonut2011 concerning die polish lines with the '40's, and '50's PL's. I'm curious if polishing methods had changed since this '64 PL obverse, or, just a superior job at buffing out the lines. I personally believe some obverse proof dies entered production, as several type "B" are noted earlier on as well concerning reverse. IDK, maybe this specimen was one of the first dozen, or, so coined off a proof die for business strike, or, just a refined method of polishing out scratches? I included some '40's stars, and full proof like '43-s. My later PL's in Washington series, early '70's do resemble the '64 so I'm leaning to a change with polishing as those '70 PL's resemble more of a SMS type finish in fields. Thank you.

All of these '40's San Fran show much polishing lines in fields.

1943-S Washington Quarter PL

1946-S Obverse PL

1947-S/S Obverse PL

I don't think it was a change in production method so much as the die polish lines wearing away on die before making later strikes (and ability to impart PL surfaces). It probably was one of the late PL strikes after polishing if it makes sense. I had a 50-S in MS66 PL that was an early strike. It was borderline DMPL/DPL, had light cameo contrasts in hand, and heavy/prominent lines. Most examples I have seen fall somewhere in between the extremes like the 43-S you posted,

1tommy

@PocketArt The 1943 S quarter looks to me like its the FS- 504 ? It appears the tail is coming off the S mint mark in your picture. I have a few of these heavy die polish line coins like others have said thru the 40's and 50's. They used the proof Reverse dies on all the types B's so I always thought it was possible for them to use an Obverse Proof Die on the MS Coins. I have also seen proof quarters that do not have the spacing between the E and S found on most proof quarters.

Enjoy Tom

jabba

Some one did a good job on those dies

cameonut2011

@1tommy said:
I have also seen proof quarters that do not have the spacing between the E and S found on most proof quarters.

Interesting. Is there a Fivaz Stanton or Breen number for those?

PocketArt

@1tommy - thanks for bringing this to my attention. The "S" appears to be the more common large "S." Couldn't identify a repunched mint mark with secondary "S" south. I double checked the variety listings for the '43-S in Cherrypickers' just to see if I may have missed anything as I can be neglectful at times with checking varieties.

1tommy

@cameonut2011 said:

@1tommy said:
I have also seen proof quarters that do not have the spacing between the E and S found on most proof quarters.

Interesting. Is there are Fivaz Stanton or Breen number for those?

I am pretty sure that I had talked to JT Stanton about these, there was another member proofartworks who asked me if I had noticed and we looked for awhile and put together a list of those years. He passed away a little over a year ago. I will try and see what years they were.

PocketArt I will include the link to coinfacts and it just may be your picture but it appears to have that tail that is coming off south at the bottom left of the S. Your Left.

pcgscoinfacts.com/coin/detail/408347

koynekwest

I used to have a 1964-D DDR-001 quarter that was fully prooflike.

PocketArt

Well, here are the results. MS65*

Hemispherical

Congrats @PocketArt a step above your estimate in the OP.