SKH-1c-1965-03 Spiked Head

Description

Completing the trio of cataloged spiked head varieties for the 1965 Lincoln cent, SKH-1c-1965-03 records a third distinct die deterioration event from the Philadelphia Mint's production of nearly 1.5 billion business strike cents. Each spiked head variety represents a unique die that experienced its own fracture near Lincoln's portrait at a specific point in the die's service life, and the position, angle, and size of the resulting spike distinguish one variety from another. Die fractures that produce spiked heads are progressive — once initiated, they tend to grow with continued use as the repeated striking forces propagate the crack through the surrounding die steel. Early-stage examples of a spiked head may show only a tiny bump, while late-stage examples from the same die can display a dramatic horn-like projection as the fracture widens and deepens. This progression creates die stages within a single variety, and collectors who find specimens at different stages can reconstruct the deterioration history of the die. The 1965 date is historically significant as the first year of the Coinage Act of 1965 era: mint marks were removed from all U.S. coins to discourage hoarding, proof sets were replaced by Special Mint Sets, and the cent composition was modified to eliminate tin. Cross-referenced with the notation that no known cross-references exist for this variety and a documentation date of 01/18/2018. Attributed by Cuds on Coins. Spiked head varieties remain actively collected, with new discoveries regularly reported as collectors examine previously uninspected rolls and bags of 1965 cents. Struck on a 3.11-gram, 19mm planchet of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Nolan Workman
• Cross reference: none. 01/18/2018.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References