SKH-25c-1998P-01 Spiked Head

Description

First spiked head documented for the 1998 Philadelphia Mint Washington Quarter — the final year of the original heraldic eagle reverse before the State Quarters program commenced in January 1999. This variety, cataloged on March 26, 2017, by Cuds on Coins, marks the terminal-year entry for spiked heads on the classic Flanagan design that had served the denomination since 1932. The die clash mechanism that produces spiked heads remained constant throughout the sixty-seven years of the original design: a planchet feed failure permitted the obverse and reverse dies to contact each other, transferring reverse design elements into the obverse die as raised impressions on subsequently struck coins. The 1998-P quarter represents the end of an era — after this date, the reverse die would feature state-specific designs, each used for only one year, changing the dynamics of die variety research on the denomination. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been recorded for this variety. As the sole spiked head currently cataloged for 1998-P, this entry may represent either the only clash event examined for this date or simply the first formal report. The transition to State Quarters in 1999 diverted much collector attention to the new reverse designs, potentially leaving late-classic-design production less thoroughly searched than earlier years in the series. Collectors interested in a comprehensive spiked head collection spanning the entire pre-State Quarter era from 1965 through 1998 will find SKH-25c-1998P-01 an essential terminal anchor.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Andrew S
• Cross reference: none. 03/26/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References