SKH-1c-1953S-04B Spiked Head

Description

Fourth spiked head variety on the 1953 San Francisco Lincoln Wheat Cent in its Stage B die state, SKH-1c-1953S-04B documents the progression of this die anomaly through continued production use. The "B" suffix indicates this is a later die state than Stage A, with the key diagnostic being a large die chip that has developed above Lincoln's head — distinct from and in addition to the original spike feature. Die chips form when small fragments of die steel break away, and the appearance of a large chip above the head in Stage B suggests accelerating die deterioration beyond the initial spike-forming gouge or crack. Cross-referenced to the Cohen Index as 53S-59B on page 232, documented on 10/28/2019, this dual attribution under both the Cuds on Coins and Cohen classification systems provides independent verification. The 1953-S date comes from the San Francisco Mint, which struck approximately 181.8 million cents that year — one of the smaller cent production figures among the three active mints. Spiked head varieties command attention because the raised projection from Lincoln's head creates an immediately visible anomaly that even non-specialist collectors can recognize. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the Stage B die state with its additional large die chip above the head makes this variety particularly interesting for collectors who study die deterioration sequences, as it documents the transformation of a die from its initial spiked head condition into a more advanced state of structural failure.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 53S-59B PG 232, 10/28/2019.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References