SKH-1c-1980-01 Spiked Head

Description

Discovered on the 1980 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent and cataloged as SKH-1c-1980-01, this spiked head variety exhibits a distinctive die gouge or die crack that projects upward from Lincoln's head, creating the appearance of a spike or horn protruding from the president's portrait. Spiked head varieties occur when a linear flaw in the die — whether from a crack, a gouge, or progressive metal fatigue — intersects with the area above Lincoln's head on the obverse. Because the flaw is incuse on the die surface, it produces a raised spike on the struck coin, often extending from the top of the skull toward the rim or nearby lettering. The visual effect can range from subtle to dramatic depending on the severity and length of the die flaw, and specimens from early die states typically display sharper, more defined spikes than those struck after additional die wear has softened the anomaly. SKH-1c-1980-01 was cataloged by Cuds on Coins on October 5, 2023, and no additional cross-references to other attribution systems have been identified. The 1980 Philadelphia cent was struck from 95% copper, 5% zinc planchets and was the first year the P mintmark appeared on the cent denomination. Attribution by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tim Glover
• Cross reference: none. 10/05/2023.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References