SKH-25c-1996P-07 Spiked Head

Description

Seventh documented spiked head on a 1996 Philadelphia Mint Washington Quarter, SKH-25c-1996P-07 captures another die clash event within the final years of the original John Flanagan portrait series. Spiked heads on quarters form through the same mechanism that produces them on cents: the coining press cycles without a planchet and the obverse and reverse dies contact each other directly, transferring design elements across the gap. The heraldic eagle reverse of the pre-State Quarter Washington design carries strong wing feathering and lettering that can leave a sharp impression when clashed into the obverse die, and subsequent coins struck from that die display a raised spike projecting from Washington's portrait. The 1996-P quarter was produced during a period of high circulating coinage demand, just three years before the State Quarters program would dramatically increase public interest in quarter collecting. Seven documented spiked heads for a single date and mint facility testifies to both substantial production volume and active collector examination. This variety was first cataloged on October 10, 2017, by Cuds on Coins, a specialized resource that has systematically documented die clash varieties across all modern denominations. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been established for this particular variety. Collectors pursuing spiked heads on Washington Quarters find the 1990s dates particularly productive, as the final years of the classic design saw consistent die pair consumption rates that generated regular clash events throughout the production cycle.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Pietro Terranova
• Cross reference: none. 10/10/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References