1998 (P) Jefferson Nickel - SKH-5c-1998P-02 Spiked Head

Description

Recorded on April 18, 2017, by Cuds on Coins, this second spiked head for the 1998 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel documents a die crack from the sixtieth year of Felix Schlag's iconic design — a remarkable longevity for an American coin type. The spike is a crack in the obverse die that runs from the rim into Jefferson's bust, manifesting as a raised spike on Jefferson's portrait. Two spiked heads from the 1998-P date represents a modest count, suggesting either limited examination or effective die management at the Philadelphia Mint during this production year. Jefferson Nickels of the late 1990s were struck during a period of relative stability in nickel production, with the traditional 75% copper and 25% nickel composition unchanged since the alloy's return after World War II. The spiked head on a Jefferson Nickel can vary in appearance from a fine line visible only under magnification to a prominent horn-like projection extending well beyond the normal portrait outline, depending on how long and wide the crack has grown. No cross-references to other attribution systems are known for SKH-5c-1998P-02, and the variety is distinguished from the first and third 1998-P spiked heads by the specific location and characteristics of its spike relative to Jefferson's profile. The late 1990s represent one of the final stretches of the original Schlag design before the 2004-2005 Westward Journey redesigns temporarily replaced both obverse and reverse.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 04/18/2017.

External References