SKH-25c-1997P-05 Spiked Head

Description

Fifth spiked head documented on the 1997 Philadelphia Washington Quarter, where a die gouge projecting from Washington's head creates a distinctive spike-shaped protrusion. Beyond the obverse anomaly, the reverse of this particular die pair reveals re-engraved feathers on the eagle's left wing, accompanied by a die crack indicated by collectors as "white arrows" pointing to the fracture path. Spiked head varieties arise when displaced metal within the die cavity — typically from die clashing or gouging — forms a raised spike on the struck coin, most often extending from the top of Washington's head toward the rim. The re-engraved reverse feathers suggest that the Mint attempted to extend die life through localized reworking, a practice that sometimes introduced secondary anomalies. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins within the Washington Clad and Silver Proof Quarters 1965-1998 series. No independent cross-references have been established as of the February 2022 listing date, leaving this as a single-source attribution awaiting confirmation from CONECA or other variety organizations.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Pete Apple
• Cross reference: none. 02/07/2022.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References