Herbert Hicks’ Legacy: Hunting the Elusive 1968-S Type F Washington Quarter Error

Most collectors walk right past the minute imperfections that transform ordinary coins into numismatic treasures. But for eagle-eyed variety hunters like us, these subtle clues whisper secrets of rarity – and few stories thrill quite like Herbert Hicks’ pursuit of the 1968-S Type F Washington Quarter, finally certified by PCGS three years after the master collector’s passing.

A Numismatic Detective Story: Uncovering Hidden Gems

The 1968-S Washington Quarter reverses weave one of modern U.S. coinage’s most intricate design tapestries. When John Flanagan’s original 1932 reverse hubs finally retired after three decades of service, the U.S. Mint’s experimentation birthed eight distinct subtypes (A through H) – each with its own collectibility and numismatic value.

Hicks devoted his life to documenting these transitions, with his crowning achievement – identifying the elusive 1968-S Type F proof quarter – gaining PCGS recognition in 2021. This isn’t just another rare variety; it’s a monument to numismatic scholarship and the power of an observant eye.

Mastering the Hunt: Your Essential Identification Toolkit

The Type F Diagnostic Triad

Separating the prized Type F from its common Type G and H cousins demands scrutiny of three telltale features:

• The “N” in UNUM: A delicate serif reaches leftward from the top right upright (shared with Type G)
• Wing Margins: Faint lower edges that dissolve before meeting the field (versus Type G’s crisp, defined relief)
• Arrowleaf Formation: A sharp spearpoint leaf tip preceding the arrows (distinct from Type G’s blunted shape)

“After studying a confirmed Type G, the Type F’s soft wing margins practically wink at you,” shares variety authority Jose Gallego, whose Heartland Coin Club lecture transformed how collectors spot these gems.

Conclusive Die Markers Under Magnification

At 10x power, these smoking-gun details separate contenders from pretenders:

• Subtle doubling along the Q’s inner curve in QUARTER
• Clean separation between the E and S in STATES – crucial for provenance
• A beveled edge on the first left leaf (often misidentified as doubling)
• Absence of Type H’s diagnostic squared berry stems and weak right talon

Cracking the Type F vs. Type G Code

Even seasoned experts sometimes stumble distinguishing these siblings. Let’s settle the debate:

The Mint’s field-lowering technique beneath Type G’s wings accidentally reshaped adjacent features – a happy accident for variety hunters!

From Pocket Change to Prize Piece: Understanding Value

When Hicks spotted that fateful $99 eBay listing in 2012, neither he nor collector “Tommy” imagined it would become essential for PCGS registry sets. Today’s market reflects its rarity:

• Raw Candidates: $50-$300 (based on strike quality and eye appeal)
• PCGS PR65: $600-$800 (demand outstrips supply)
• PCGS PR68: $2,500+ (Tommy’s original submission set records)
• PCGS PR69: $5,000+ (The sole example trades like museum art)

Registry set competition has electrified the market, especially with PCGS requiring all 304 varieties for their Complete Variety Set Proof. As collector DaveWesen lamented: “I’ve scrutinized hundreds of ’68 proof sets without finding a single Type F.”

The Hicks Method: Blueprint for Modern Variety Hunters

Herbert’s systematic approach remains our gold standard:

1. Train your eye on common Type H reverses first
2. Dance lateral light across wing surfaces to reveal relief details
3. Corroborate multiple markers before celebrating
4. Document and share discoveries for peer review

His unfinished research into proof quarters’ E-S spacing gaps still haunts specialists. As forum sage Jay reminds us: “Specialists see what collectors merely glance at.”

Conclusion: The Thrill Lives On

The 1968-S Type F quarter’s journey from bargain-bin suspect to PCGS-certified legend captures why we chase these metallic mysteries. With Coin #794719 now enshrined in numismatic history, Hicks’ torch passes to new generations scouring mint marks, tracing die cracks, and seeing coins not as currency, but as cultural artifacts.

So next time you sift through Washington quarters, pause. That 1968-S proof in your grandfather’s collection might be Hicks’ holy grail. And somewhere in Herbert’s unpublished notes – preserved by his family we hope – may lurk the next earth-shaking discovery.

“The true value isn’t in the grade,” Tommy reflected. “It’s keeping Herb’s passion alive in every coin we turn under the loupe.”

Continue the Hunt:

• Variety Vista Type F Reference
• Gallego’s Reverse Variety Guide
• PCGS Coin Facts Entry

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