SKH-1c-1918S-01 Spike Head

Description

Produced at the San Francisco Mint during the final year of World War I, the 1918-S Lincoln Wheat Cent carries a mintage of approximately 34.7 million pieces—a modest output that makes documented varieties from this date scarce. SKH-1c-1918S-01 stands as one of the earliest dated spike head varieties in the Cuds on Coins catalog, recording a die crack through Lincoln's portrait that allowed planchet metal to extrude upward during striking, forming the characteristic raised spike that defines the variety type. The 1918 cent was struck in the original 95% copper composition standard since 1864, and the San Francisco Mint's limited production volume means fewer working dies were consumed for this date than for Philadelphia. A spike head from this era provides a window into early twentieth-century die fatigue patterns, predating the high-volume modern production conditions under which most cataloged spiked heads were generated. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins from San Francisco Mint production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Durney
• Cross reference number: none. 10/01/2020.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References