2011 Proof Quarter

When a proof die is made, the polished fields are masked before the device detail is etched or sandblasted. It appears in this case, that the masking could have been done a little better. I don't know if the fields are polished before or after the sand blasting or etching is done.

The Royal Australian Mint sand blasts their proof dies too harshly to my liking, to the detriment of the fine details. The British do a rather better job in this regard, and I suspect that their proof dies are etched to produce the cameo effect.

The fields appears to be polished with about 20,000 to 50,000 grade diamond dust. I use 50,000 grade for final polishing of facets when cutting sapphires.