1996 (P) Jefferson Nickel - SKH-5c-1996P-03 Spiked Head

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as SKH-5c-1996P-03, this spiked head variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint on a 1996 Jefferson nickel from the Original Design 1938-2003 series. A spiked head variety results from a die crack that extends from the top of the portrait upward into the field, producing a spike-like protrusion that is raised on the struck coin. While spiked heads are most commonly associated with Lincoln cents, they also occur on other denominations including Jefferson nickels, where the top of Jefferson's head meets the field at a point that is susceptible to die cracking under production stress. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been established for this variety as of the March 2017 documentation date. The obverse shows no significant die markers beyond the spike itself, but the reverse carries a die crack from the base extending to the left side base of the Monticello building, indicating the die was experiencing progressive deterioration. The 1996-P Jefferson nickel was struck in the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel composition, weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. Felix Schlag's original obverse design of Jefferson's portrait, used from 1938 through 2004, features fine detail in the hair area where cracks tend to initiate and propagate into the field above, creating the distinctive spiked appearance that gives this variety type its evocative name.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 03/01/2017.

External References