SECOND ATTEMPT: STRANGE 1957 PR WASHINGTON

TWODOGS

Does anyone else have any 1957 proof Washingtons? I bought this proof set because the Washington looks like it might make a cameo designation. I know it's hard to make a determination through the scuffed mint poly. That's not what this is about, anyway.

If you look at the eagle's left wing, it looks like the coin itself has been tooled. The plastic has not been tampered with. Has anyone else seen anything like this on their 57's?

jonesy

Mabe the die was tooled at a later date.

FC57Coins

I tend to agree with Jonesy - it looks like the die might've been failing and someone got the bright idea of touching it up - cool find JC!

TWODOGS

It sure looks like scratches into the coin itself.

If they retooled the die, that means they would somehow have had to add metal to the reverse die. When you look at the smaller pic, note how the lines jump out at you. It's not this cheap $100 scanner, that's the way it looks to the eye with a loupe also.

TWODOGS

Let's try this again. I don't think I'm the only one out there with a 1957 proof set.

Shamika

Clearly, something odd is going on here. Would the mint actually retool a die intended for proofs? Seems to me they would just discard it and start with a fresh die. As for tooling the coin, is it worth the time and effort for the mint to do so? No way.

I wish I could see this coin in person.

sinin1

could it be some grease filling the device causing such an ugly proof?

TWODOGS

Shamika,

That is what I find so strange. If you look at the lines, they don't even match the lines of the feathers. There aren't even any pinholes in the plastic that someone could have stuck a scribe or other tool through. That's why I was hoping that someone may have a cameo 57 to compare with.

millennium

I'd check that slab...Looks like someone took out the coin, tooled it, and returned it to the slab....my .02 worth!

Shamika

Is it in a slap or the government issued plastic?

DHeath

Dogs,

In the 50s. proof dies were repolished to extend life and remove flaws. They were repolished in the recessed areas with diamond dust and a wire brush. Areas that have an appearance of heavier frost than the surrounding areas, or areas that look tooled probably were. Since these dies were pickled in acid as opposed to the sandblasting and chroming of the dies that began in the 70s, the cameo effect on the surface of the die was VERY delicate. After the touch-up, they would usually rub acid onto the touched-up area to recreate frost. Some of the 69 coins have incredibly varied cameo, with areas of bright white where the touch-up occured, and faded frost on the rest of the design.

All that said, from what I see, it looks like yours is just hairlined. That really wasn't uncommon, and lots of Franklins are particularly prone to it still in the mint pack. JMO

TWODOGS

It's still in the original mint poly. It's a complete set.

TWODOGS

DHeath,

Thank you. I went through all my odds and ends and found another 57 proof Wash. It has no cameo whatsoever, and I can JUST make out the same lines in the left wing. So...I guess that the one pictured here is an earlier die state and it WAS retooled by the mint.

Everybody, thanks for your help.

(I wonder if Office Max will take back this worthless scanner.)

fcloud

Twodogs,

Maybe you found a new variety! That would be pretty cool. I think the lines are raised indicating the coin was not alter, but the die was. The mint used to do all kinds of weird thing that they wouldn't do today. I wish you luck in finding another quarter just like it. I'm sure if it is out there someone will find it.

Tony