1971 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - SKH-1c-1971D-24 Spiked Head

Description

SKH-1c-1971D-24 is a spiked head on the 1971-D Lincoln Memorial cent, recorded on January 23, 2018. Attributed by Cuds on Coins, this variety emerged roughly two weeks after the SKH-22/SKH-23 pair, maintaining the steady discovery cadence that characterized the early months of 2018. The die crack responsible for SKH-24 followed the same mechanical genesis as every other spiked head in the catalog: cyclic stress from repeated striking drove a fatigue crack through the die steel at the high-relief zone of Lincoln's portrait, and the crack propagated outward into the field along a path dictated by the die's unique internal grain structure. No cross-references have been established. The practical challenge for collectors at this depth in the catalog is distinguishing SKH-24 from its neighbors — with twenty-four variations of essentially the same phenomenon, accurate attribution requires measuring the spike's precise angular orientation, its length relative to the portrait, and any secondary die fatigue indicators that may appear on the same working die. Directional lighting remains the most effective examination technique, casting shadows along the raised spike to reveal its contour against the field.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 01/23/2018.

External References