Learning To Grade - Strange Washington Quarter

Thurmond,

To me, in the pictures above, it appears as though the top photo is a business strike and the bottom two are proofs. Proof coins are made with high polished dies and are struck multiple times at higher pressures. That is why you are seeing a more reflective surface. Since this is the case, I think the bottom coin is just reflecting something that its next to with poor lighting. The top one looks like a business strike and is struck differently from the proofs. Business strike dies are not as highly polished, generally struck once and at lower pressures. This results in a dull looking coin.

Another important point brought up by smokeriderdon is that proofs are made differently now. They have frosted devices now, whereas early proofs were highly polished throughout.

Hope this helps.