The Hidden History Behind ProofArtworkonCircs Herbert Hicks PCGS Now Recognizes his 1968 S Type F Washington Quarter

Every coin whispers secrets of its era. To truly grasp the significance of the 1968-S Type F Washington Quarter, we must hold it against the backdrop of its creation—a time when America’s social fabric unraveled even as its minting technology advanced. This San Francisco proof issue represents far more than silver-clad currency; it’s a numismatic Rosetta Stone, painstakingly decoded by late variety hunter Herbert Hicks. Thanks to his tireless research, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) now recognizes this rare variety, cementing its place in collecting history. Join me as we examine how one man’s obsession with strike details and die variations uncovered a transitional treasure hidden in plain sight.

The Crucible of Change: 1968’s Numismatic Legacy

While America grappled with assassinations, war, and cultural upheaval in 1968, the U.S. Mint pursued its own quiet revolution. The Coinage Act of 1965 had stripped silver from quarters and dimes, replacing precious metal with copper-nickel clad. By 1968, this “sandwich coinage” dominated circulation—but San Francisco had loftier ambitions. Reborn as a proof specialty mint, the facility deployed polished dies and hand-finished planchets to create mirror-like coins meant for display, not commerce.

Here lies the irony: even in this temple of perfection, human hands left fingerprints. The 1968-S proof quarters emerged with subtle variations—die polishing marks, microscopic doubling, design tweaks—that would later define their collectibility. These weren’t errors, but rather artifacts of a mint refining its craft under production pressures. For sharp-eyed specialists like Herbert Hicks, such details became holy grails.

Flanagan’s Design Meets Transitional Dies

John Flanagan’s original 1932 Washington Quarter design gained new complexity in the proof era. By 1968, engravers had created four distinct reverse types (E through H) through die modifications. The Type F (RDV-007) stands apart—a rare variety born when technicians adapted circulation-strike dies for proof use. Its telltale markers? A serifed “N” in UNUM, dagger-sharp leaf points near the arrows, and faint doubling on the Q’s inner circle.

Enter Herbert Hicks—collector, sleuth, and forum legend known as “ProofArtworkonCircs.” His 2012 discovery plays like numismatic noir: spotting a suspicious $99 eBay listing, alerting fellow collector Tom (“1tommy”), and confirming the first authenticated Type F. Hicks didn’t just find a coin; he resurrected a minting story buried for decades. PCGS’s recent registry inclusion validates what Hicks always knew: transitional varieties like this belong in every serious Washington Quarter proof set.

The Collector’s Perfect Storm

Why did this variety surface in 1968? Follow the silver. With bullion removed from circulation, collectors pivoted to proof sets as tangible assets. The Mint obliged—but in their rush to meet demand, technicians occasionally mixed die types. The Type F’s creation was likely accidental: a circulation-strike die repurposed for proofs before receiving final design tweaks. This hybrid history gives it extraordinary numismatic value today.

Hicks’ tragic 2019 passing left the community fearing his research might vanish. Instead, his legacy thrives through coins like Tom’s PCGS PR69 specimen—the first graded Type F. Current population reports suggest fewer than 50 certified examples, with premium pieces showing deep cameo contrast and flawless fields. When a top-pop coin appears at auction, expect fireworks.

Hunting the Type F: A Collector’s Field Guide

Identifying this rare variety demands a magnifier and know-how. Key markers include:

• Serifed “N”: Check UNUM’s upper-left serif—absent on common Type G
• Leaf Shape: Razor-pointed (Type F) vs. rounded (Type G) before arrows
• Wing Weakness: Softer feather definition than Type G’s bold relief
• Doubled Detail: Ghost lines inside the Q’s inner circle

Beware “imposters”! Many dealers misidentify worn Type G coins as the scarcer F variety. Cross-reference with Variety Vista or the Heartland Coin Club’s Hicks-inspired guide. PCGS now authenticates under FS-901 (coin #794719)—a must for registry sets.

Market Realities: From Obscurity to Obsession

Since PCGS recognition, the Type F’s numismatic value has soared:

• Circulated or impaired proofs: $150–$400 (if verifiable)
• PR65–PR67: $750–$2,000, depending on eye appeal
• PR68+ Cameos: $3,000–$5,000+ for frosty devices against mirror fields

This mirrors classic sleepers like the 1932-D quarter, where institutional validation ignites markets. But beyond dollars, the Type F offers something rarer: provenance. Each example carries Herbert Hicks’ story—a basement researcher outsmarting the establishment. That human element elevates it from commodity to historical artifact.

Conclusion: A Varieties Manifesto

The 1968-S Type F Quarter embodies why we collect: the thrill of discovery, the satisfaction of authentication, the joy of preserving history. Hicks proved that remarkable finds await in common proof sets—if we study strike quality rather than just grade. As this variety enters the PCGS pantheon, it challenges collectors to look closer. That “common” coin in your album? Its surfaces might hide a rare variety, its patina a story waiting for the next Herbert Hicks to reveal it. In numismatics as in life, the most profound truths often lie in the details.

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