1996-P Spike Head (W/Fairly Wide Crack)

The die cracks vary in size, as the crack goes deeper into the die. Starting out small and getting larger as the crack deepens.

As the die crack enlarges then it can makes the die crack on the face of the die larger. It can eventually split off the die creating a Cud on the coins struck with that die.

Because of the missing area on the die, the opposite die can't make a design show opposite of the Cud, because there is not resistance pressure to strike up the opposite area of the design. Thus the weakness is a sure sign that this is a Cud coin and not a faked coin with something added to one side of the coin. (The weight of the Cud coin will be normal something added will be over weight)
Note the weakness seen on the opposite areas where a Cud happened:



Here is an example of where part of the die broke away and was struck onto the coin upside down:

Sorry no reverse image for this one.
So as the die starts to flex, the die crack will enlarge. Sometimes even splitting the die.

CoopHome: What causes a die crack on a coin? a crack enlarging on the dies. The coins are the images of what happened to the die. Knowing how to read these images will help train your eyes.

Nice one!

Thanks guys. It did jump out at me.

Coop, thanks because that tutorial will come in handy for newer collectors that come across this thread. It will definitely help them.

Nice find.