SKH-1c-1952D-02 Spiked Head

Description

Cross-referenced to Cohen Index 52D-(56) with a "Not Listed" designation indicating a new discovery within the established die study framework, this second spiked head variety for the 1952-D Lincoln Wheat Cent documents a die crack radiating from Lincoln's head on a Denver Mint business strike. The Cohen notation 52D-(56) identifies this as die pair 56 in the 1952 Denver die study, but the "Not Listed" qualifier means it was not previously cataloged — making SKH-1c-1952D-02 a genuine addition to the known variety population when documented in June 2016. Spiked heads are created by die cracks that extend outward from the portrait, producing raised lines on struck coins that project from the head like a spike or antenna. As the second spiked head cataloged for the 1952-D Wheat Cent, this variety establishes that multiple Denver working dies developed radiating cracks at the portrait during the year's production run. The 1952-D was struck on bronze planchets at Denver during the postwar economic expansion, when Lincoln Cent production was climbing steadily. Cuds on Coins cataloged this variety within the broader spiked head census for the Lincoln Wheat Cent series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 52D-(56) Not Listed. 06/01/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References