Preserving Herbert Hicks’ Legacy: Expert Conservation Guide for the PCGS-Recognized 1968-S Type F Washington Quarter

Don’t Let History Fade: A Collector’s Guide to Preserving the 1968-S Type F Quarter

After forty years handling rare coins, my heart still sinks when I see a priceless piece ruined by misguided care. Few numismatic tragedies cut deeper than watching a rare variety like the 1968-S Type F Washington Quarter—freshly recognized by PCGS after Herbert Hicks’ lifelong research—lose its story to improper handling. This isn’t just about metal; it’s about safeguarding history. Let me share preservation techniques that’ll keep your coins singing to future generations.

Why the 1968-S Type F Quarter Deserves Your Care

This coin represents a perfect storm of numismatic value: a critical Mint transition captured in silver, documented through Hicks’ obsessive research, now celebrated in PCGS registry sets. When forum members like Tom (1tommy) shared microscope comparisons, we realized how its master die doubling and precise arrow placement tell america’s clad coinage story. PCGS CoinFacts listing #794719 didn’t just validate Hicks’ work—it gave collectors a new benchmark for series completeness.

Three details that scream “rare variety”:

• Master Die Poetry: That telltale ‘step’ inside the Q of QUARTER
• Botanical Clues: Arrows kissing pointed leaves (Type G prefers rounded)
• Microscopic History: Tight E-S spacing in STATES with serifed N in UNUM

Spotting the Real Deal: A Type F Hunter’s Checklist

Mistaking Type F for its Type G cousin? You’re not alone—even Jose Gallego’s Heartland Club presentation showed seasoned collectors struggling. Having examined Tom’s PCGS PR68 and Dave’s stunning PR69, I’ve learned true Type F identification lives in the details:

The Naked Truth: Type F vs. Type G

• Wing Weakness: Right tip appears softer than Type G’s sculpted relief
• Leaf Gatekeepers: No elongated left leaf like Type G’s “fingerprint”
• Barbed Arrows: Tips sharp enough to prick a forger’s conscience
• Q’s Quirk: Doubling creates a miniature stairway inside the letter

“Study certified examples side-by-side—Type G’s wing muscles bulge like a bodybuilder’s!” – Wisdom from CoinForum comparisons

The Enemies at Your Coin’s Gate: A Preservation Battle Plan

Toning: Rainbow or Ruin?

Proof surfaces like the 1968-S Type F develop breathtaking toning that can boost collectibility by 30%… or become a horror show. Remember:

• Cherish Patina: Natural iridescence is history’s autograph
• Resist the Urge: “Improving” toning murders eye appeal
• Code Red: Black spots? Skip home remedies—call NGC Conservation STAT

PVC: The Silent Collection Killer

Those vintage flips holding Hicks’ original finds? They’re ticking time bombs. PVC plasticizers creep into metal like acid rain, causing:

• Gruesome green tendrils following flow lines
• Gummy surfaces that trap every dust mote
• Irreversible surface pitting within a decade

Found old holders? Transfer coins faster than a Mint worker striking planchets!

Fort Knox for Your Coins: Storage That Preserves Value

Graded Coin Sanctuary

Your PCGS/NGC slabs aren’t just pretty plastic—they’re time capsules. Protect their contents with:

• Climate Control: Silica gel buddies in safety deposit boxes (30-40% RH sweet spot)
• Light Discipline: UV rays accelerate toning like spilled coffee on paperwork
• Slab Armor: NGC’s patents aren’t just marketing—they’re 70-year promises

Raw Coin Hospital

Ungraded Hicks specimens need ICU-level care:

• Saflip Mylar flips (2.5 mil minimum—no flimsy knockoffs)
• Archival glassine sheets as buffer zones in acid-free albums
• PVC-free sworn oath: Never use “coin albums” from big-box stores

Cleaning Crimes: Why Proofs Demand Virgin Hands

NGC’s conservation team shares my nightmare: collectors “helping” proofs with Q-tips. The 1968-S Type F’s mirror fields show microscratches under 5x magnification—here’s why cleaning nukes value:

• Luster Assassination: Dips murder original cartwheel brilliance
• Grade Slaughter: PR68 becomes PR65 faster than you say “Oops”
• Provenance Erasure: Artificial shines burn away natural sulfide histories

“Show me a cleaned proof, and I’ll show you a numismatic ghost—present in body, absent in soul.” – NGC Conservation Veteran

Become a History Keeper: Hicks’ Legacy in Your Hands

When you hold a 1968-S Type F Quarter, you’re not just gripping silver—you’re cradling Herbert Hicks’ life’s work. PCGS registry recognition made these coins collection crown jewels, but their survival depends on you. Follow these steps, and decades from now, some wide-eyed collector will thank you for preserving mint-condition history.

Got preservation puzzles? Channel Hicks’ meticulous spirit: consult PCGS restoration guides or study his archived research. Remember—every fingerprint avoided, every PVC flip replaced, writes tomorrow’s numismatic legacy. What chapter will your collection tell?

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