SKH-25c-1997P-03 Spiked Head

Description

Documented by Cuds on Coins as SKH-25c-1997P-03, this spiked head variety on the 1997 (P) Washington Quarter features a die crack that produces a spike-like protrusion extending from Washington's head on the obverse. Spiked head varieties are caused by die cracks that develop in the die steel radiating outward from the portrait — when the die cracks, metal from the planchet flows into the crack during striking, creating a raised spike or horn-like projection on the finished coin. The accompanying notes identify an obverse die crack at the "E" in LIBERTY that extends into the skull area (indicated by white arrows in reference images), establishing this as the primary diagnostic feature. The reverse shows a related die marker — a feature noted in the "O" of DOLLAR (also marked with a white arrow) — providing a secondary confirmation point for die pair identification. No formal cross-references from other attribution services exist for this variety. The Washington Quarter was designed by John Flanagan in 1932, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core), weighing 5.67 grams at 24.3 mm diameter with a reeded edge. The 1997-P quarter had a mintage of approximately 595 million, providing a substantial production base from which die crack varieties could develop through normal die fatigue. Spiked head quarters are a popular collecting specialty because the spike creates a visually dramatic and easily identifiable anomaly — even casual observers can spot a prominent spike extending from Washington's profile. The die crack path from LIBERTY's E into the skull area on this specific variety creates a distinctive geographic signature that distinguishes SKH-25c-1997P-03 from other 1997-P spiked head listings that may feature cracks originating from different locations around the portrait.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Oney
• Cross reference: none. none. 01/07/2021.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References