"Knowledge Through Education"
"Knowledge Through Education"
Spiked Head Watch!
by Ken Potter - NLG
These are the stories as they unfolded on the CONECA Homepage ...
In The News...
List of Proof Spiked Head Varieties Grows
Photos © Ken Potter 2006/Coin Courtesy of Ira
Edings
2002-S
Clad Proof Kennedy half-dollar with "Spiked Head" die crack.
Photos © Ken Potter 2006/Coin Courtesy of Stephen Soldridge
Both obverse and reverse die cracks on proof Kennedy halves
were included
in the new report. This one is a 2004-S struck in silver.
December 29, 2007 -- I reported upon a Spiked Head die crack on a proof 2007-S Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollar in the Nov. 13, 2007, issue of Numismatic News. What I did not say was that it was actually just one of several Spiked Heads found on proof coins submitted to me in the past year and a half. New to the list of significant die cracks on proof coins are 12 examples spanning the dates 1998-S, 1999-S, 2000-S, 2005-S and 2006-S, on all denominations from nickels through a single Sacagawea dollar. The "list" was originally started with a Spiked Head 2002-S silver Kennedy half dollar that headlined the April 15, 2003, issue of NN. This coin prompted a long string of finds that followed as folks began to check other denominations and dates closer. The 10-part series of reports ran intermittently with the last appearing in the June 14, 2005, issue up until my recent Jefferson dollar story. Eight of the 12 new listings can be seen in the NN web version of the story at the link below. All the photos can be seen in the print version of NN due in collectors hands in the next few days.
Note to authors/publishers: CONECA is interested in publishing news releases highlighting current stories published elsewhere that are associated with error-variety coins and/or the minting process. Interested authors/publishers are encouraged to send an abstract along with a photo or more and details of when and where the article was published to the CONECA webmaster at: conecawebsite@koinpro.com (please -- only email submissions).
In The News ...
Collector Finds "Spiked Head" Proof
Jeff
Photos © Ken Potter 2007
November 1, 2007 -- A Spiked Head die crack on a proof 2007-S Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollar has been reported by a San Francisco Bay area collector. It was found in a four-piece 2007 Presidential dollar proof set. The coin exhibits a significant die crack on the reverse running from the second ray from the right in Miss Liberty's crown up into the field, through the "E" of AMERICA continuing on through the rim. It is the first significant die crack reported on a proof Presidential dollar that runs from a portion of the design all the way through the rim.
Collector Finds Proof
"Spiked Head" Die Crack!
2004-S Silver Iowa 25c
Photo © Ken Potter 2005 / Coin courtesy of David Carten
Photo © Ken Potter 2005
A Look At The Reverse Design (normal coin)
July 4,
2006 -- If you were starting to think that I was getting behind on the reports
on new Spiked Head die crack finds on proof coins, you are right! The
photos have been piling up as one variety after another comes in. The
latest is a Colorado State quarter with a spiked head that I will be shooting
tomorrow. But that's another story! For now we'll take a look at a neat
spiked head on the reverse of a 2004-S Silver Proof Iowa State quarter
dollar that came in last year. David Carten found this one in a silver
proof set. The die crack runs through the rim,
through the child at the upper right, and then through the school teacher's head
(qualifying it as a "spiked head") ending just short of the
schoolhouse. The variety was first shown in the June 14, 2005 Numismatic
News front page story where this one and six other proof coins with die
cracks were featured.
Now what is interesting about this one is while the original
find was in a complete silver proof set, another one was recently reported in Coin
World's Collectors' Clearinghouse as being found by Lisa Henning of Ohio in
the clad format! Based on an enlarged image she sent me via email, it
appears like a virtual duplicate of the one shown above but upon closer scrutiny
it looks like it may be a very similar die crack though distinctly
different. I will report any additional information I am able to gather on
this in the next installment of my Numismatic News, proof die cracks
series and here. KP
Spiked
(Reverse) Watch ...
Weinberg Reports
2005-S Proof 10c w/Die Crack!
Images Courtesy of Fred Weinberg & Co.
April 2, 2006 -- Fred Weinberg, long-time CONECA supporter and error dealer based in Encino, California, reports the acquisition of a 2005-S Clad Roosevelt dime with a rather nice die crack on the reverse at about 1:00 O'clock. It's the second 2005-S Clad proof Roosevelt dime reported with a die crack (see story below for the first report) but the first for the reverse! The coin was certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service as PCGS PR68DCAM. In his March 2006, Errors-Make No Mistake! column featured in Error Trends Coin Magazine, Weinberg says: "Proof coins continue to be reported with major die-cracks -- one of the newest discoveries is a long crack thru Liberty on the obverse of a Proof 2005-S Ocean View Nickel [we have not seen this one yet]. There are now enough Proof Die Crack coins of all denominations, through the Sacagawea Dollar, to be a good collectable series for the collectors who are trying to get a specimen of each coin that's come out in a Proof Set from the U.S. Mint!"
Spiked Head Watch
...
NGC Reports 2005-S
Proof 10c w/Die Crack!
Image Courtesy of & © 2005 Numismatic Guaranty
Corporation
April 2, 2006 -- In the story above we reported upon a major die crack found on the reverse of a proof 2005-S Clad dime. While it was the first report for the reverse it was actually the second report for the date and denomination. The first took on the form of a "Spiked Head" die crack on the obverse and was first reported by the Sarasota, Florida based grading service, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. It was spotted in a standard 11-coin proof set by NGC grader, Jay Turner, while examining a batch of proof sets sent in for grading. It exhibits a rather wide die crack running from Roosevelt’s upper ear up through the rim at about 1:00 o’clock. It was a front page feature in the June 14, 2005 Numismatic News last year and is shown above.
See The CONECA Spiked Head Watch Here
2005-S MN 25c Design
Found w/Spiked Head Die Crack
Virtual Carbon Copy to the '02-S
TN, '04-S FL & IA Spikes!
May 11, 2005 -- Four different proof state quarters bearing virtually identical spiked head die cracks have now been identified. The latest one is from Jeff Hill of Arkansas who found a spiked head on the obverse of a 2005-S Minnesota clad proof quarter.
Spiked Head 2004-S Proof Florida 25c
Found
Virtual Twin to the '02-S
Tenn. & '04-S Iowa Spikes!
Photos © Ken Potter 2004 / Coin courtesy of Patrick
McNulty
Photos © Ken Potter 2004 / Coin courtesy of Randy Hutton
Photo © Ken Potter 2003 / Coin courtesy of Crito Philippatos
2002-S Proof Tennessee Spiked Head
December 19, 2004 -- It’s time to check your proof sets yet again for potentially valuable “Spiked Head” die cracks. Bill Nash of California is the latest to report one – this time on the obverse of the 2004-S Florida state quarter. Nash’s discovery follows the pattern set by its predecessors with a die crack that is virtually indistinguishable from either. All three show as a prominent die crack that runs from the interior of the lower bust of Washington into the field and through the horizontal bar of the “D” of DOLLAR to the rim. In fact, many observers sans a first-hand examination of the coins (or access to high-resolution enlargement photos) could easily assume all three to be struck from the same obverse die. However, a close examination of the photomicrographs reveals that all three are different die cracks exhibiting very slight variations in pattern. This proves that they are all from different obverse dies.
See The Rest Of This Story Here
See The CONECA Spiked Head Watch Here
Image courtesy of Dennis Renner
December 16, 2004 -- Dennis Renner of Il reports finding the fifth known example of the 2003-S proof Lincoln cent with a die crack on reverse. The variety was originally expounded upon in our front page article in the October 12, 2004 issue of Numismatic News. Pat Bowers of Wyoming, who first reported it found four out of four sets he purchased from the Mint in November 2003. The crack runs from the rim at about 10 O’clock through the T of UNITED down into the Memorial building were it thins out but continues to just over the third column from the left. There is also a smaller diagonal die crack that juts out into the field a couple of mm or so from the left cornice. Since this crack it rather strong and obvious, we figure the value could range from $50.00 to $150.00 even though it is not a Spiked Head.
More Jefferson Proof Cracks Found!
Photo © Ken Potter 2003 / Coin courtesy of Duncan H. Brown
December 12, 2004 -- James D. Schultz of NJ
reports finding two of the 2003-S proof Jefferson five-cent pieces with strong
die cracks on the reverse that we first reported upon here in November 11, 2003.
Like the original find, Schultz were also contained in silver proof sets.
These sets are identical to the clad sets, which are struck in the standard
metals, except that the dime through half dollar denominations are struck in
.900 fine silver. The Jefferson nickel is struck in the standard
copper-nickel composition for both sets.
The die crack is the typical sort that is occasionally
seen on business strike Jefferson nickels. They often start at the rim right
next to the right or left side of the base of the Monticello building and
frequently progress into rim-to-rim die cracks or split die strikes.
In this case the crack extends from the left side inwards up to the first column
of the building. On proof coins die cracks like this are very seldom seen.
Schultz broke his nickels out of the sets and had them
certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service as Proof-69. They are
noted on the holders as: "Mint Error PR69DCAM Die Crack Reverse" and
encapsulated with the reverse showing from the front of the holder. He has
decided to give the two coins to his grandchildren. His find now
brings the total number of pieces known to us to three.
Spiked Head 2004-S
Proof Iowa 25c Found!
Virtual Twin to the '02-S
Tenn. Spike
Photos © Ken Potter / Coin courtesy of Randy Hutton
2004-S Proof Iowa Spiked Head
Photo © Ken Potter / Coin courtesy of Crito Philippatos
2002-S Proof Tennessee Spiked Head
October 07, 2004 -- It’s time to check your proof sets again for potentially valuable “Spiked Head” die cracks. Randy Hutton of Florida is the latest on a growing list of collectors finding Spiked Heads in recent proof sets. He discovered a 2004-S Iowa state quarter with a die crack that is a virtual carbon copy of the one reported for the obverse of the 2002-S Tennessee quarter in a Sept. 2, 2003, Numismatic News lead story.
See The Rest Of This Story Here
See The CONECA Spiked Head Watch Here
Recent Finds ...
More Iowa Spikes Found!
Image Courtesy Of Jeff Linton
October 8, 2004 -- Long-time error-variety specialist, Neil Osina of Best Variety Sportscards & Coins, Glendora, CA has reported that one of his customers found two of the 2004-S Iowa quarters with same Spiked Head die break described in an October 6 report (see above) . The two were found within five sets ordered from the Mint and delivered at the same time.
Photo © Ken Potter / Coin courtesy of Randy Hutton
A Look At The Reverse Of The Iowa Quarter
October 14, 2004 -- Jeff Linton reports
finding one of the 2004-S clad proof Iowa quarters with a Spiked Head die crack.
He said he found his in late June, scanned images of it a few days later on June
25th, with the intention of reporting it, but didn't until now. He
indicated that the earlier reports in the Numismatic News series on
Spiked Heads found in proof sets, prompted him to start looking at his sets
closer. According to Linton, "At first I thought the coin was scratched but
I took out my loop and it looked more like ... a die crack."
Indeed it is Jeff! Nice find!
.
Fourth Sac "Spiked Head" Sells On eBay!
Image courtesy of Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery
Dec 21, 2003 -- A fourth 2003-S Sacagawea dollar with a "Spiked Head" die crack at 11:00 o'clock has traded on eBay. This one sold as eBay Auction #2210105719 on December 20 was described as an NGC certified Proof-68 and and brought in $162.50. The auction enjoyed 240 unique views before it sold. Another NGC certified Proof-68 was offered on eBay and traded on October 26 for a whopping $204.35! Additionally, two NGC graded Proof-69s have traded on eBay; one in early October sold for $282.77 and another one on November 8 sold for $260.55.
Collector Reports 2003-S Proof
Jefferson Die Crack Rev
Photo courtesy of Duncan H. Brown
November 11, 2003 -- Duncan H. Brown has reported a 2003-S Jefferson five cent piece found in a silver proof set with a significantly large die crack on the reverse. The die crack is the typical sort that is occasionally seen on business strike Jefferson nickels. They often start at the rim right next to the right or left side of the base of the Monticello building and frequently progress into rim-to-rim die cracks or split die strikes. In this case the crack extends from the left side inwards up to the first column of the building. On proof coins cracks like this are seldom seen. Good find Duncan!
Third Sac "Spiked Head" Sells On eBay!
Images courtesy of Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery
November 8, 2003 -- A third 2003-S Sacagawea dollar with a "Spiked Head" die crack at 11:00 o'clock has traded on eBay. This one sold as eBay Auction #2200122430 on November 8 was described as an NGC certified Proof-69 and sold for $260.55. The auction enjoyed 156 unique views before it sold. Another NGC certified Proof-69 was offered for sale on eBay in early October and sold for $282.77.
Another Vintage Spiked Head?
Photo courtesy of Whaden Curtis
November 01, 2003 -- Whaden Curtis saw our 1976-S 10c "Vintage Spiked Head" die crack posted here on Oct. 10th and decide to send one in that he owns on a 1971-S proof dime. It sports a die crack that runs from the base of bust through the 9 of date to the rim. We'll continue to add more proof "Spiked Head" die cracks to the "Spiked Head Watch!" as they are reported. Keep 'em coming!
Another Sac "Spiked Head" Trades On eBay!
Click Here For Clasp
Images courtesy of Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery
October 26, 2003 -- Since our October 11 report on a Proof 2003-S Sacagawea dollar "Spiked Head" Die Crack trading on eBay, yet another has traded at that venue. This one was graded by NGC as a Proof-68 and sold on October 26 for a whopping $204.35! The one we reported upon on October 11 was an NGC graded Proof-69 that sold for $282.77.
"Spiked Diamond" On
The Way To Certification!
Still the only example reported
Photo courtesy of Mary Pouncy
October 13, 2003 -- Not only are "Spiked Head" die cracks on proof coins getting some attention but "spikes" found in other areas of the design on proof coins also are getting attention as long as they stand out. The word just in from Mary Pouncy, the owner of the above 2003-S clad proof Arkansas quarter featured in my June 3 article in Numismatic News, is that it is being sent to NGC for grading and certification. "Spiked Heads," etc., are more appropriately described as "die cracks" and have been proving themselves fairly popular on proof coins.
Two Proof "Spiked Heads" Trade On eBay
Here is an image of McNulty's Massachusetts quarter find --
Not a "Spiked Head" but a nice 'un anyway
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
Here is the TN quarter that he won on eBay
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
October 11, 2003 -- Patrick McNulty, who is credited
with first reporting a 2000-S silver proof Massachusetts quarter with a large die crack
reverse, reports successfully winning two of the Spiked Head die crack varieties that were
featured on this web site.
On October 4, he was able to add the 2002-S Tennessee quarter to his
collection for a winning bid of $76.00. This variety features a strong die crack
running south from the base of the Washington portrait. It experienced nine bids and
the auction counter indicated 182 views.
He was also winner of a proof 2003-S Sacagawea dollar with a
"Spiked Head" die crack at about 11:00 o'clock that was graded by NGC as
Proof-69. He won this one on October 2 for $282.77. It saw 41 bids and an
amazing 322 hits from persons interesting in viewing the auction.
Vintage Spiked Head?
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
October 10, 2003 -- With all the attention on "Spiked Head" proofs going to coins dated 2000 and newer we could almost call one with a bicentennial date vintage! Couldn't we? In any event, after going on record as saying I'd never seen a "Spiked Head" die crack on a proof coin earlier than the current 21st century group, I remembered I did indeed once own one on a 1976-S proof Roosevelt dime. To date it is the only example I have seen.
Watch for 2002-S "Spiked
Head"
JFKs & Jeffs
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
Photo courtesy of Bill Penner
June 06, 2003 -- Owners of unopened 2002-S silver proof sets now have two good reasons to check them out more closely! Numismatic News first reported upon the discovery of a major "Spiked Head" die crack on a silver proof Kennedy half dollar in the April 15th issue of that publication. Now a proof Jefferson nickel boasting a "Spiked Head" has been reported upon in the the June 3 issue of NN! Online versions of both articles are available here: Spiked Head JFK and here: Spiked Head Jeff
First Report On Sac "Spiked
Head"
Proof Dollar!
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
June 03, 2003 -- Al Lavoie of Connecticut is first to report to us (through Numismatic News) a proof 2003-S Sacagawea dollar with what appears to be a "Spiked Head" die crack. The set has yet to be sent in for positive confirmation that it is in fact a die crack but it does appear to be so in the image. It was found in a clad set. More on this one as we hear more later. See the related stories below.
2002-S Proof "Spiked
Head"
Die Crack Dime Found!
Photo courtesy of Ed Kelley
July 20, 2003 -- The latest proof "Spiked
Head" die crack to be reported -- is on a 2002-S Roosevelt dime! It was found
on July 18th in a clad proof set by Tammy Overstreet of Kelley's Coins. At this
point we now have at least five United States proof coins struck within a two-year period
boasting significant "Spiked Head" die cracks!
The first reported was the 2002-S Kennedy half, followed closely by the
2002-S Jefferson nickel. Both of these were found in silver sets. Then there was a 2003-S
Sacagawea dollar found in a clad proof set! Still later, a second 2003-S proof Sac
with a "Spiked Head," was reported on the Internet "chats," and
subsequently appeared on MintNews.com. Find link to that story on our Articles Page.
Since the 2002-S Roosevelt dime was found in a clad set it means that
cherrypickers that have been restricting their search of the 2002 dated "spiked
heads," to the silver proof sets, will now have reason to search both versions!
This latest discovery by Overstreet was the only one found out of a
group of 50 sets! See the related stories below.
Add The Tenn. 25c To The List Of Spikes!
Photo courtesy of Crito Philippatos
August 09, 2003 -- Add Crito
Philippatos' name to the list of finders of "Spiked Head" die cracks in proof
sets! He found his on a 2002-S Tennessee quarter assembled in a clad proof set!
This is the first one reported to us for that denomination and brings up the total
of "spiked head" die cracks found in 2002 proof sets to one for each
denomination except the cent and dollar. Two different "spiked head
varieties" have been reported on 2003 Sacagawea dollar coins.
This newest one deviates from the other 2002/2003 varieties in that the
die crack travels from within the portrait to the rim in a predominantly southerly
direction rather than the predominately northerly direction of the others.
Specifically, it travels from within the lower portrait of George Washington, through the
vertical bar of the D of DOLLAR to the rim at about 5:45 o'clock.
More details will be forthcoming in Ken Potter's continuing series on
these unusual finds in Numismatic News.
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