SKH-1c-1983D-08 Spiked Head

Description

Reaching the eighth spiked head variety on the 1983-D cent, SKH-1c-1983D-08 further demonstrates the systematic vulnerability of the Lincoln portrait's crown region to die cracking under Denver's high-volume production conditions. The depth of this census — eight distinct spiked head dies from a single date and mintmark — offers researchers a statistical sample large enough to analyze patterns in crack orientation and propagation across multiple dies manufactured from the same master hub. Variations in spike angle, length, and position within the census population can reveal whether certain die manufacturing batches were more prone to failure than others, potentially reflecting differences in steel composition, heat treatment, or hubbing pressure. Spiked head varieties occupy a special place in Lincoln cent error collecting because they transform the most recognizable element of the coin's design — Lincoln's profile — into something visually unexpected, and this combination of numismatic significance and visual impact has driven sustained collector interest in documenting every distinct spiked head die. On the 2.5-gram copper-plated zinc planchet that constitutes all 1983-D production, the spike presents as a raised copper-toned protrusion whose prominence varies with the die crack's depth. Attribution by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Patrick (Mike) Winstead
• Cross reference: none. 02/16/2022.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References