1796 Draped Bust Cent - Reverse of 1797 - Draped Bust Large Cent (Reverse of 1797) Obverse Spiked Head

Description

A spiked head is visible on the obverse of this 1796 Draped Bust large cent of the Reverse of 1797 variety. Spiked heads occur when a small die crack develops on the obverse die near Liberty's head, creating a raised spike or thorn-like projection on the struck coin. In this case, the die crack runs from the left side of Liberty's hair, through the tip of her hair, down under the "17" in the date and to the rim. The 1796 Draped Bust cent is a transitional year that used both the old Reverse of 1795 and the newer Reverse of 1797 designs.