SKH-25c-1999P-03(CT) Spiked Head

Description

Cataloged by the Cuds on Coins reference as SKH-25c-1999P-03(CT) and dated August 19, 2017, this 1999 Philadelphia Mint Connecticut State Quarter exhibits a spiked head variety — a type of die crack or die chip that extends from the top of Washington's head on the obverse, creating a raised spike or horn-like projection from the portrait. Spiked head varieties occur when a die crack develops in the area above Washington's head and propagates toward the rim, or when a die chip creates a raised protrusion that extends above the hairline, producing a distinctive spike that varies in length and angle across different spiked head dies. Additional die deterioration accompanies this variety: a reverse die crack extends from the rim to the base of the Connecticut State Quarter's Charter Oak tree, positioned just adjacent to the M in UNUM, while an obverse die crack runs from the rim to the edge of Washington's wig. These concurrent die cracks on both faces indicate the die pair was experiencing progressive structural failure, with the spiked head being one manifestation of the broader deterioration affecting this obverse die. The 1999 Connecticut State Quarter is the fourth issue in the 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008), featuring a reverse designed by T. James Ferrell depicting the Charter Oak, the historic tree that according to legend concealed Connecticut's colonial charter in 1687 to prevent its seizure by Sir Edmund Andros. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel clad composition (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter, the 1999-P Connecticut quarter was among the earliest State Quarter issues. Spiked head varieties on State Quarters are actively collected as a subset of the die break specialty.

Attribution History

• Discovered by James D Wright
• Cross reference: none. 08/19/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References