1952 1c-50c Proof Set, 5 Coins PR

From 1936 through the early 1970s, the normal finish for United States Proof coins is uniformly brilliant in fields and devices. Still, some coins may reveal the onset of satiny fields as a result of losing their polish. These coins have fine lines radiating from their centers toward their borders, a condition a later generation of Mint employees would describe as “starburst.” When these lines were discovered on a die’s face, the die would be removed from the press and repolished to a full brilliance. Though this removed some of the shallower details from the die, it did give the effect that collectors expected. Repeated polishing of the dies, with resulting loss of detail, was all too typical of Proofs dated 1936­ to ­1964.

One interesting variety found for 1952 is the so­-­called “Superbird” quarter. Proof dies were frequently cleaned after every couple dozen or so strikes, using alcohol and a soft cloth. Occasionally, a fiber from these cloths would remain on the die face or in one of its cavities, and an impression of this slim thread would be transferred to the coin at the moment of striking. In the case of the Superbird quarter, it is more likely that a wire bristle was the culprit, as the impression was made in the die and thus appears on each subsequent striking. This left a raised impression at the very center of the eagle’s breast on each coin struck from that reverse die. The short impression is curled into the shape of the letter S, and this evokes an image of Superman’s costume, with its bold S on his chest. A popular variety, this is just one of the many fun oddities associated with our Proof coinage.

Cameo Proofs of this date are quite scarce, with deep cameo pieces being genuinely rare. While these premium coins are most desired in high grades, even lesser specimens will bring good prices for their distinctive finish. Not being fully appreciated at the time, cameo Proofs were subject to the same mishandling and poor storage suffered by many ordinary Proofs produced before the Mint adopted hard plastic holders in 1966.

The idea for such holders may have resulted in part from initiative shown by the private sector. The marketing of rigid, screw­-­together holders of acrylic plastic began in 1945, and these holders became the item of choice for housing complete Proof sets during the 1950s and ’60s. Introduced just a few years later were snap­-­together holders made from polystyrene. While not as attractive, and offering less protection from abrasion, the styrene holders were also less expensive than acrylics.

Source: Whitman