USA 25 cents Washington Quarter 1950
USA, Philadelphia
Rarity
Rare
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ¼ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 164 |
| Mintage | 51,386 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| thickness | 1.75 mm |
| diameter | 24.26 mm |
| weight | 6.25 g |
Obverse:
Head of state
Description:
George Washington (1st President of the USA)
Creators:
John Flanagan (JF)
IN GOD WE TRUST
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Bird
Description:
Eagle
Creators:
John Flanagan (JF)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
QUARTER DOLLAR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
Proof coinage had been suspended after 1942, due to extreme demand for circulating coins during World War II. While the Treasury was prepared to resume proof coin sales as early as 1947, there remained the issue of funding their production. Budgets had been slashed following the war's end, and the Mint had no additional appropriation beyond that needed for circulating coins. This hurdle was overcome in 1950, and the pent-up demand for proofs was very high. Sales were more than double those of 1942, though the resulting figure would seem very quaint when production exceeded a million pieces just seven years later. The Philadelphia Mint once again had to learn the technique of coining fully brilliant proofs, and the early strikes of 1950 were only semi-brilliant. These early coins, however, tend to have more detail, as the greater die polishing needed to achieve the fully brilliant pieces seen later in the year also eradicated some of the shallower features of the dies. This same problem had plagued the proofs of 1936-42, and it would not be overcome until the 1970s. Gems are plentiful for the 1950 quarter dollar, though perhaps not equal in number to the demand for proof coins of 1950 to date. Only the earliest strikes reveal contrast between brilliant fields and frosted devices, as the grainy texture of the die cavities quickly became self-polished through repeated use. Though the dies were etched with acid prior to polishing of the fields, this texture was quite delicate, and even chromium plating of the dies could not preserve it. A fair number of proofs have been certified as Cameo, but Ultra Cameo coins are exceedingly rare.Read More
