1995 (P) Jefferson Nickel - SKH-5c-1995P-10 Spiked Head

Description

Tenth documented spiked head variety for the 1995 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel, this variety displays the characteristic spike or horn-like projection extending from Jefferson's head, caused by a die gouge or die crack that creates a channel in the die face which fills with metal during striking. The resulting raised spike on the finished coin gives this variety class its distinctive and memorable name. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins with no known cross-references (confirmed on two separate dates — 05/03/2017 and 10/12/2017), the dual catalog entries suggest the variety was verified independently on two occasions. Spiked head varieties are a popular collecting specialty within the Jefferson Nickel series because the spike is often visible to the unaided eye and provides an accessible entry point for collectors new to die varieties. The 1995 Philadelphia Mint nickel was produced during an era of high production volume when dies were pushed to maximum usage, increasing the likelihood of gouges and cracks developing in the die face around the high-relief portrait area. Ten documented spiked heads for a single date-mint combination reflects both the frequency of die damage in this area and the intensity of examination that Jefferson Nickels receive from variety specialists searching through rolls and bags for these visually distinctive anomalies.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none.  05/03/2017. Cross reference: none. 10/12/2017.

External References