1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent - SKH-1c-1956-01A Spiked Head

Description

Carrying an unusual sub-variety suffix, the 1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent SKH-1c-1956-01A documents a spiked head die crack with the "A" designation indicating a sub-variety of the primary SKH-1c-1956-01 — a distinction suggesting this specimen shares the same general crack location as the base 01 variety but differs in specific characteristics such as crack length, angle, or associated die markers. A spiked head occurs when a die crack develops at the top of Lincoln's portrait and extends into the surrounding field, transferring as a raised spike-like protrusion on every coin struck from that die. The visual drama of a spike emerging from Lincoln's head makes this error type one of the most approachable for beginning collectors. The 1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at 3.11 grams, near the end of the Wheat Cents series — Victor David Brenner's wheat ears reverse would be replaced by the Lincoln Memorial design in 1959, just three years later. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as SKH (spiked head), 1c (cent), 1956 (year), 01A (sub-variety of the first documented spiked head). Examine the top of Lincoln's head for the raised spike extending into the field, comparing its specific angle and length against the base 01 variety to confirm the A sub-classification.

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