SKH-25c-1996P-19 Spiked Head

Description

Nineteenth spiked head variety documented for the 1996 Philadelphia Mint Washington Quarter, this entry demonstrates that the 1996-P date has proven remarkably productive for die clash research. Reaching nineteen documented spiked heads from a single date and mint places the 1996-P among the most heavily cataloged quarters for this variety type, rivaling even some of the more prolific Lincoln Shield Cent dates. The mechanism remains consistent across all spiked heads: a planchet feed failure allows the obverse and reverse dies to contact each other, and the heraldic eagle reverse impresses design elements into the obverse die that appear as raised spikes on Washington's portrait in subsequent strikes. Each of the nineteen entries represents a distinct die pair that experienced its own clash event, identified through unique spike characteristics including position, angle, length, and accompanying die markers. This variety was cataloged comparatively recently, on November 15, 2024, by Cuds on Coins — a full seven years after the earliest 1996-P spiked head entries, indicating that new discoveries continue to emerge as collectors reexamine coins from this date. The 1996-P quarter mintage was substantial, providing a deep pool of coins for ongoing examination. No cross-references to other attribution systems exist for this specific variety. The continued expansion of the 1996-P spiked head catalog into the high teens reflects both the productivity of die variety research on this date and the dedication of the collectors who systematically search through rolls and bags of mid-1990s quarters.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Bennett
• Cross reference: none. 11/15/2024.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References