“R” 1955/1956+ Quarters have a different shape R in Trust

Aspie_Rocco

Examining some Washington quarters I noticed a difference in the shape of the R at the right tip. Is there any published or known reason for this design change? It appears to get progressively sharper leading to 1964 with a distinct point.

IkesT

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Examining some Washington quarters I noticed a difference in the shape of the R at the right tip. Is there any published or known reason for this design change? It appears to get progressively sharper leading to 1964 with a distinct point.

Good observation - VarietyVista lists six obverse design changes for the Washington quarter between 1955 and 1964:

http://varietyvista.com/09b WQ Vol 2/Obverse Design Varieties.htm

I presume that the designs were changed either because the mint wanted to make minor improvements, or because the master hubs had worn out and they needed to make new ones. In this case, I don't know why there were so many in close succession; it is unusual to have so many design changes in such a short period.