SKH-1d-SBA-1999P-01 Spike Head

Description

Struck during the brief 1999 revival of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar — a single-year encore before the Sacagawea Dollar replaced it in 2000 — the SKH-1d-SBA-1999P-01 documents a spiked head variety on the Philadelphia issue. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this variety features a die crack extending from Anthony's portrait that creates a spike-like raised protrusion, formed when stress fractures propagate from deep-relief areas where metal fatigue concentrates. The 1999 SBA represents a unique chapter in American coinage: after an eighteen-year hiatus following the coin's unpopular 1979-1981 run, the Mint resumed production to meet vending machine demand while the new golden dollar was being prepared. Frank Gasparro designed both sides — the obverse portrait of suffragist Susan B. Anthony and the reverse adaptation of the Apollo 11 mission insignia with an eagle landing on the moon. The SBA's small 26.5mm size, similar to a quarter, contributed to public confusion and its commercial failure. Struck on copper-nickel clad planchets. Examine around Anthony's head for the raised spike extending outward from the portrait contour.

Attribution History

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

External References