1955 Type B reverse Quarters?

JonMN34

I know that the type B reverse quarters are known for 1956-1964, but what about 1955?

I came across this one today and I'm curious.

LanceNewmanOCC

.
looks like a proof reverse to me but comparing bs & pf reverses don't seem too different for the year except the top most arrow

i initially questioned the authenticity but it seems to match up
.

coindeuce

More likely than not it is an impaired Proof. Wouldn't be the first time I have seen a circulated coin from a Proof set.

kookoox10

With how circulated the coin is, it would be easy to fool just about anyone. But I would be inclined to agree that it is an impaired proof.

MikeC

I am inclined to agree that it is a circulated proof, There are no known Type-B Reverses for 1955. However! You never know. Strange things happen.
http://www.washingtontype-b.com

coinkat

it is tough to say from the images- circ proof is probable

cladking

It appers bent in the picture.

The rims are slightly atypical for a circulated proof.

ProofArtworkonCircs

There was a report of one of these 1955's many years ago, like several decades ago. However, it, too, was heavily circulated.

JonMN34

Thanks for the replies. I don't think the coin is bent, but I'll have to check in he morning.

Thanks for the link to the Washington type b site! I never realize that the type b business strikes weren't an error per say, but we're in fact due to a shortage of dies intended for business strikes.

Upon finding his coin my initial thought was that the coin was most likely a heavily circulated proof coin, but being that I'm a Lincoln cent guy I am unfamiliar with the specific die characteristics for proof Washington quarters.

How was it determined that the 1956-1964 business struck type B's where created due to lack of dies rather than accidental use of he dies (other than by he quantity around)? Would the only way for a 1955 business struck type b to exist be then an accidental use of a proof die?

Sorry for the late night rambling questions and such...

ProofArtworkonCircs

There are several theories as to just how the type B dies were used in regular production.

My favorite is that certain dies destined to be used for proofs were found to be not up to snuff. Rather than discard them, they were diverted to the production floor. This was Bill Edwards' theory.

Some folk think these were retired proof dies that had actually made proofs.

This went on from 1956-1964. I think there too many made to have been a mere accident. Perhaps the 1969 D - 1972 D ones were.

MikeC

Some of the retired proof dies were in fact use to produce the Type-B Reverse. 1957 Double Die Reverse #7 business strike and Double Die Reverse# 3 proof were struck from the same die (see variety listings at www.washingtontype-b.com). I also think that 1962 Double Die Obverse #3 and Double Die proof #8 were struck from the same die. I am also in the process of pairing up proof and business strike die's for the 1956 Type-B Reverse. If there is any information on my website that is incorrect I will be more than happy to correct it. However, From all of the research I have done I believe all information to be correct.
http://www.washingtontype-b.com

ProofArtworkonCircs

MikeC

Let us know how the 1956 type B die pairings come out. My gut feeling is that only 2 type B dies were used for circulation strikes. I base this on the fact that about half the 1956's have the same defect. THe leaf above "T" of "QUARTER" nestled in the intersection of the stems is longer on the type B. Some 1956 type B's show a definite weakness in this leaf.

There are a few Denver mint quarters of 1969-1972 that have all the type B characteristics. Walter Breen called them type B's way back when. However they have centerlines in relief in the tailfeathers that match the type C coins. That is enough of a difference to earn them the type H designation in the latest CPG.

MikeC

Here is a 1938 Washington Quarter you can have a look at. Proof or Business strike? Go to NGC and do Certification Number search on this number 705263-005 take a minit and check it out.

Jcarney

<< <i>It appers bent in the picture.

The rims are slightly atypical for a circulated proof. >>



I think that if the coin was bent, assuming the same light position, the shadow wouldn't be the same in each photo. It looks like the light source is coming from the right and rather low.

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<Here is a 1938 Washington Quarter you can have a look at. Proof or Business strike? Go to NGC and do Certification Number search on this number 705263-005 take a minit and check it out.>>

I won't claim to know the history of this piece. I am going to assume it started as a proof until proven otherwise.

I have read that the mint in the 1930's would have a few proofs left over each year and would just spend them. I wish I could give you the source for that information now.