SKH-25C-1996P-18 Spike Head

Description

Eighteenth documented spike head for the 1996 Philadelphia Mint Washington Quarter, SKH-25C-1996P-18 represents the high end of the documented catalog for this date and establishes 1996-P as one of the more prolific years for Washington Quarter die clash varieties. Eighteen separate die clash events producing distinct spiked heads across a single year's production reflects the combination of enormous mintage volume — over 925 million quarters — and the bold relief of John Flanagan's 1932 design that creates well-defined transfer impressions when the dies contact each other without a planchet. Each of the eighteen entries documents a unique die pair and a unique spike profile, differentiated by the precise position, length, angle, and character of the protrusion on Washington's portrait. The heraldic eagle reverse, with its spread wings, olive branch, and arrows, provides numerous design elements that can transfer into the obverse die during a clash, and the geometry of the specific element that transfers determines the visual appearance of the resulting spike. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the eighteen spiked heads for 1996-P place this date among the top-tier spike head counts in the pre-State Quarter Washington Quarter catalog. Collectors pursuing a complete set of 1996-P spiked heads face a meaningful challenge, as differentiating between eighteen closely related die clash varieties requires careful comparison of spike characteristics across specimens. The 1996-P was just three years before the State Quarters revolution, making its extensive spike head catalog one of the final high-count records for the original reverse design.

Attribution History

• SKH-25C-1996P-18
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References