SKH-1c-1972D-06 Spiked Head

Description

Distinguished by an important diagnostic marker on its reverse, SKH-1c-1972D-06 exhibits not only the characteristic spiked head crack on the obverse but also a reverse die crack running from the rim through the letter "D" in UNITED — providing collectors with a two-sided identification system for coins struck from this specific die pair. The Cuds on Coins team documented this variety on October 20, 2017, the day after SKH-1c-1972D-05, with no external cross-references established. The reverse die crack through "D" in UNITED serves as a valuable die marker because it allows collectors to confirm their attribution even when examining the reverse alone — a useful diagnostic when working through bags or rolls where coins may be oriented reverse-up. Die cracks on one side of a coin often correlate with advanced die deterioration generally, and the presence of cracking on both the obverse (producing the spiked head) and the reverse (through the "D") suggests this die pair had accumulated substantial fatigue by the time these coins were struck. Sixth in the 1972-D spiked head sequence, SKH-1c-1972D-06 represents one of the more attributable varieties in the series precisely because of this dual-diagnostic feature. Error coin collectors appreciate when multiple identification points exist for a variety — it reduces attribution uncertainty and makes positive identification faster when examining potential matches. The combination of an obverse spike with a specific reverse crack pattern effectively creates a unique two-part signature that distinguishes this die pair from all others in the 1972-D cent production run.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Nolan Workman
• Cross reference: none. 10/20/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References