SKH-25c-2000P-01 & 02(SC) Spiked Head

Description

An unusual combined listing, SKH-25c-2000P-01 & 02(SC) documents two distinct spiked head die chips on the 2000 Philadelphia South Carolina State Quarter — two separate die breaks near Washington's head cataloged together because they appear on the same die. Spiked heads occur when small fragments of die steel fracture away from the portrait area, leaving voids that fill with metal during striking to create raised spike-like projections. Finding two such breaks on a single die is uncommon, as die chips in the portrait area often lead to die replacement before additional fractures develop. The South Carolina quarter, eighth coin in the 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008), features a reverse by Thomas D. Rogers Sr. depicting the palmetto tree, Carolina wren, and state outline with a star marking Columbia. The State Quarter program generated enormous public interest in variety collecting, making spiked heads particularly sought after across the fifty-state series. Struck on copper-nickel clad at 24.3mm. Inspect Washington's head for two separate raised spikes — the dual die chips that distinguish this combined entry.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jeff Ylitalo
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References