Need some help on the heavy v. light motto on the 1934-D quarter

[jtryka]

Ok, so recently I bought Hoot's swell BU 1934-D quarter, which was a "Heavy Motto" no problem there, but then I looked at my circulated 34-D that I took out of the album and the motto seems different. Can anyone help tell me if this is a heavy or light motto and how to tell the difference? Here are photos of the one inquestion.

[halfpint]

 

...i believe you have the so called medium motto which is the more

 

common of the 3.

[BillJones]

The motto looks like "a heavy" to me, but I don't know much about Washington quarters. I would grade the coin as a VG with a minor rim ding at the top. It seems like wear to the VG point would make the motto look a little weaker.

[halfpint]

 

...my call was made on the "w" of we in the legend. it has a 'squared' center

 

of that word that matches the description in the CPG. i'll try and get some

 

pics up later.

[DWLange]

Your coin is a Medium Motto obverse, the same hub used to sink dies for most 1934 and all 1935 quarters. It is common.

 

By the way, this is the same obverse hub that created the spectacular 1934 Doubled-Die Obverse quarters.

[jtryka]

Thanks guys, this is helpful information!

[RWB]

There are three motto versions:

Light, Medium and Heavy

 

Light mottos were produced when there was a shortage of letters and the Mint had to slice the normal ones in half so they would have enough for all the quarters. Sometimes the slicing was so thin that parts of the motto are barely visible. This was very delicate work and was performed by women employed by the new WPA.

 

Medium mottos are the normal ones and most commonly seen.

 

Heavy mottos occurred when the Mint discovered they had sliced too many Medium mottos in half. Not wanting to waste the silver, they mistakenly glued them to Medium motto letters. These ended up being Heavy mottos when the coins were struck. Heavy motto quarters also weigh more than Medium motto coins since they have extra silver in the motto lettering.

 

All of this occurred because the Engraver, John Sinnock, couldn’t find his glasses one day. So he gave orders to assistant engraver Adam Pietz about what to do, but Sinnock couldn’t see what he was saying and got it mixed up.

 

Thanks to the ghost of Wally Breen for inspiring this total fabrication.

 

[Lincoln Log-migration]

I have a 1934 quarter with a different motto W, and I'm trying to figure out what it is. I'm trying to figure out how I can upload or attach my photos(without a URL - HELP!) so you can see. The coin has what looks like a die crack that happens behind the motto. Then the motto is over the crack with what looks like a doubled "w" and "N". Also, the "w" has a pointed center, rather than a squared off version. Is this a different double die, or what is it? Thanks, anyone?

[Conder101]

The "die crack" is actually a planchet lamination. I don't see any evidence of doubled die but the coin is worn and the motto is somewhat "mushy". Someone who is more of a specialist in Washington quarters may something I don't.

[DWLange]

It's a Medium Motto coin with a planchet lamination.

[Mr.Mcknowitall]

Look at the center point of the W?

Respectfully,

John Curlis