1996 (P) Jefferson Nickel - SKH-5c-1996P-02 Spiked Head

Description

Documented on a 1996 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel, this second spiked head for the date extends the spiked head record into the late 1990s production era of Felix Schlag's original obverse design. Spiked heads on Jefferson Nickels form the same way as on other denominations: a crack opens in the obverse die between the rim and Jefferson's bust during production. Metal filling the crack creates a raised protrusion — the characteristic spike — extending from Jefferson's portrait on subsequent strikes. Philadelphia's 1996 nickel production operated without a mint mark, as had been standard practice for Philadelphia issues throughout most of the Jefferson series. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins with no known cross-references, SKH-5c-1996P-02 was documented on October 10, 2016, two decades after the coin's production — a reminder that die variety discoveries continue long after coins enter circulation. The Jefferson Nickel original design, in service from 1938 through 2003, spans sixty-five years of continuous production, and spiked heads have been documented across numerous dates within this extended run.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 10/10/2016.

External References