SKH-1c-1964D-03 Spiked Head

Description

The third spiked head variety cataloged for the 1964-D Lincoln Memorial Cent, SKH-1c-1964D-03 was documented on 05/20/2018 with no independent cross-reference currently assigned. The absence of a Cohen Index number distinguishes this entry from SKH-1c-1964D-01 and SKH-1c-1964D-02, which carry Cohen designations 64D-72B and 64D-53 respectively, and suggests this variety may have been identified through channels outside the traditional Cohen die crack catalog or awaits formal numbering. Spiked head varieties result from die cracks or die chips that develop in the die steel surrounding Lincoln's portrait on the obverse, producing a raised spike-like projection from the top or side of the head. The spike is formed when a crack in the die face fills with metal under the enormous striking pressure of the coining press, transferring the crack's profile as a raised feature on every coin struck from that die until it is retired from service. The three documented spiked head varieties for the 1964-D cent reflect the extraordinary volume of dies consumed at the Denver Mint during the 1964 production campaign of 3,799,071,500 business strikes. Each obverse die was expected to produce hundreds of thousands of impressions before retirement, and the cumulative stress of repeated high-pressure strikes made die cracking an inevitable byproduct of sustained production. Spiked heads remain popular with Lincoln cent collectors for their striking visual character and relative ease of identification without magnification. Struck on a 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc planchet at 3.11 grams and 19mm diameter.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Nolan Workman
• Cross reference: none. 05/20/2018.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References