1996-S Silver Washington Quarter Gem Proof

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The 1996-S Silver Washington Quarter represents a beautiful marriage of modern minting technology and historic American design. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin features a proof finish, characterized by highly polished, mirror-like fields and frosted, detailed devices. Composed of 90 percent silver, this issue contains 0.1788 troy ounces of precious metal, giving it a distinct luster and weight that sets it apart from standard circulating coinage. The obverse of the coin features the familiar left-facing portrait of George Washington, a design originally introduced in 1932 to mark the bicentennial of the first president's birth. This enduring imagery makes the Washington Quarter the second-longest running series in United States coinage history, surpassed only by the Lincoln Cent. Surrounding the portrait are the legible inscriptions of LIBERTY, the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST, the year 1996, and the S mint mark, indicating its origin in San Francisco. On the reverse, the design features a majestic eagle with outstretched wings, perched above olive branches. The inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the traditional Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination of QUARTER DOLLAR. This proof coin offers observers a chance to appreciate the crisp details of a classic American motif, preserved in exceptional proof quality.