Numismatic

1991-S Washington Quarter Gem Proof

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The 1991-S Washington quarter represents a brilliant chapter in modern American coinage, showcasing the San Francisco Mint's dedication to producing high-quality proof strikes. This particular issue is struck in a cupronickel clad copper composition, a metallic recipe adopted after the Coinage Act of 1965 replaced the traditional silver alloy. The obverse of the coin features the familiar profile of George Washington, a design originally introduced in 1932 to mark the bicentennial of the first president's birth. On this crisp proof striking, Washington's portrait stands out in sharp relief against a polished, reflective field. Legible inscriptions on the obverse include the word LIBERTY, the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST, the 1991 date, and the distinct S mint mark, indicating its origin in San Francisco. Turning the coin over, the reverse displays a highly detailed design accompanied by the traditional inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the denomination QUARTER DOLLAR, and the classic Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. For enthusiasts of twentieth-century American currency, this Gem Proof specimen offers an exceptional opportunity to study the fine details and crisp lettering of a design that originally replaced the Standing Liberty quarter decades earlier.