SKH-50c-1995P-01 Spiked Head

Description

Inaugurating the spiked head catalog for the 1995 Philadelphia Mint Kennedy Half Dollar, this variety shares a date with the legendary 1995 Lincoln Cent DDO-001 — though the half dollar spiked head is an entirely different denomination, error type, and die variety mechanism. While the cent's DDO-001 is a hubbing error, the half dollar spiked head results from a die clash where the heraldic eagle reverse contacted the obverse die without a planchet between them, transferring raised design elements that appear as a spike projecting from President Kennedy's portrait. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins under the cross-reference SKH-50c-1995P-01, this variety documents die clash activity on the half dollar denomination during the same year that generated extraordinary collector interest in die varieties across all denominations. The 1995-P Kennedy Half Dollar was produced in copper-nickel clad composition with a mintage substantially lower than cent production, meaning fewer die pairs were consumed and die clash events occurred less frequently in absolute numbers. The heraldic eagle reverse, with its detailed wing feathers, stars, and shield, creates transferred impressions of a different character than those generated by Lincoln Cent reverses. Kennedy Half Dollar spiked heads are considerably rarer in the catalog than cent spiked heads, making each documented example noteworthy. As the sole spiked head for the 1995-P half dollar, this variety may represent a unique die event, and its first-and-only status on a date renowned for die varieties across other denominations gives it particular collector appeal within the broader context of 1995's numismatic significance.

Attribution History

• SKH-50c-1995P-01
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References