SKH-1c-1950-02 Spiked Head

Description

Immediately following the inaugural entry, SKH-1c-1950-02 documents the second spiked head attributed to 1950 Philadelphia Wheat Cent dies, carrying Cohen Index 50-59A. The numerical gap between Cohen 50-54A (entry 01) and 50-59A confirms these are distinct working dies — the Cohen system assigns each die its own index based on observed characteristics, and the five-number separation indicates other die varieties cataloged between them. A spiked head's diagnostic value lies in its specificity: the exact location, angle, and dimensions of the raised projection serve as a fingerprint for the die that produced it, making attribution possible even without examining die markers elsewhere on the coin. Collectors who pursue spiked heads by date often find that early postwar years like 1950 offer a manageable number of cataloged varieties compared to later dates, making comprehensive date sets achievable. The "A" suffix appears consistently across 1950 entries in this batch. Philadelphia Mint, bronze composition, 95% copper. Cataloged and verified by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 50-59A. 03/17/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References