Numismatic

1986-S Washington Quarter Gem Proof

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The 1986-S Washington Quarter stands as a brilliant example of modern United States proof coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin features a highly reflective finish known as a Deep Cameo, which creates a dramatic visual contrast between the frosted raised details and the mirror-like flat fields. This aesthetic quality elevates a familiar circulating design into a miniature work of art. On the obverse, the profile of George Washington faces left, accompanied by the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, with the S mint mark nestled below the portrait. This depiction of the first United States president was originally introduced in 1932 to mark the bicentennial of his birth, replacing the previous Standing Liberty design. The reverse features a powerful heraldic eagle gripping a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing both strength and peace. While early quarters in this series were composed of silver, the physical makeup of this 1986 issue reflects a major transition in American numismatic history. Following the legislative changes of the Coinage Act of 1965, which eliminated silver from circulating quarters, these coins were produced using a copper and nickel blend bonded to a core of pure copper. This specific piece has survived in Gem Proof condition, preserving the crisp details of John Flanagan's classic mid twentieth century design.