Is This 1957 Washington Quarter An Unattributed Type B Reverse?

Grape,

I'm assuming that's a confirmation!

Thanks!

Maybe it's the lighting but boy, that guy sure looks beat up. I'm pretty sure I see a big thumb print on it and the devices are mushy. I'm definitely clueless so please forgive my ignorance, but how is that a 67?

Also, can someone explain what a type B is? I could Google it, yes, but I think hearing it from members is more valuable than searching the web.

Thank you...

I'd leave well enough alone.

Celtic wrote:





I first discovered these after reading about them in the featured article of the Greysheet Monthly Supplement's newsletter in March of 2015 and continued in April of 2015. The articles were very informative and presented reasons why these coins should be included in a complete Washington silver collection.

From the article, after underestimating the number of Washington quarter reverse working dies they would need to produce that year's quarter production, the Mint needed emergency replacements for the business strike dies. They simply used the worn-but-serviceable Proof reverse dies and pressed them into service. Once the Mint realized they could do this, they continued the process in the following years.

"Proof Reverse Washington quarters were minted each year from 1956 through 1964, and were produced solely at the Philadelphia Mint. This was likely because that Mint was the appointed facility that coined Proof Specimens for inclusion in Proof Sets for the collecting public. Proof dies only have a limited period of usefulness. When a Proof working die loses too much of its mirror-like appearances and detail it is retired from production. This is long before it shows signs of structural wear. They are then kept on the Mints' premises until such time when the officials decide to destroy them."


"Proof Reverse Washington quarters display many impressive dissimilarities with their normal business strike counterparts. First, the Eagle has greater detail. It is of higher relief, appears thinner, and its crisp tail is one of its hallmarks. Next, the lettering and leaves are substantially sharper and well defined. The letters have flatter tables and their corners and edges are more squared. Also, the 'A' in DOLLAR is touched by a sharply detailed leaf on the Proof version, while there is a separation on regular examples. Further, the leaf before the arrow bundle on which the Eagle stands curves slightly to the left. Finally, the 'E' and 'S' of STATES is widely separated on the Proof version, while they nearly touch one another on regular issues."


From other research I have done, the 1956-1964 Washington Type B Reverse coins are rarest in 1956 and most common in 1957. In order of rarity (not condition rarity) based on TPG population figures, they are - 1956, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1963, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1957. They are all difficult in higher MS grades (MS 66 and MS 67) but can also be found in circulated coinage quite often.


As with any series, the TPG population figures will change as more coins are submitted. Even condition rarity can suddenly change and render a "rarer" coin much more commonplace. For that reason, the rarity rankings above might be interchangeable.


Oh, yeah. Once I complete this set, it's on to the Type C Reverse!

just carl wrote:




Carl,

Normally I would agree but in this case, having it properly atributed would increase the value by over 400%. also, it would provide certainty should the coin ever be sold.

Thanks,

Jeff

And this is the NGC holder with attribution I'm hoping for:

https://coins.ha.com/itm/washington...ction-120115

That's what I thought but thanks for confirming!

Jeff