Hi All! I'm brand new and this is my 1st post. I found a Theodore Roosevelt 2016-P national parks quarter and I was wondering if the dashes to the right of the P are an error or just scratches? I've read many books and I'm still error challenged! Especially determining if something is post mint damage or an error. The reason I decided to post this one is because it looks like the dashes almost go through or under the "P"?
Any tips you have for me for errors bs post mint scratches would be much appreciated. I do have a digital microscope but I need to get an SD card in order to take pics on that.
I also have been trying to hone my grading skills. I am guesstimating this is like an AU 55. Am I on the right track? The reason is cause the front looks really good and the high points don't look worn down, that said the back (like the heads hair detail is a bit worn down). It also does have lots of scratches but I read that that's ok, if they are in the blank space and don't obscure details. Is that true?
I find it way harder to grade these American the Beautiful because the hair detail seems much less imprinted than say a
Washington quarter. I learned some tips for the Washington's for example to look and see if you can still see the feathers on the birds body, if the wood has detail and then on the Heads side to look at the hair behind the ear, to see if it's nice and clear and the detail is still there.
I would be so thankful for any feedback on this and any tips anyone could provide on all the above.
Q1: Are the dashes by the P, post mint scratches? Do you see what I mean by they seem to go under the P. If it's post mint damage how can you tell?
Q2: Do you think I'm close on the grading or way off?
Q3: Any little tips on grading or identifying errors (I do not think I have found an error yet, and I have gone through SO MANY COINS from the 1940's all the way to today). I feel like I need a little cheat sheet or process to follow because I'm obviously missing something. I have great eyesight and attention to detail.
I uploaded (3) photos:
A close up of the P mint mark and the three dashes
The full quarter front
The full quarter back


