SKH-1c-1983D-09 Spiked Head

Description

Closing the current spiked head census for the 1983-D Lincoln Memorial cent at nine documented varieties, SKH-1c-1983D-09 represents the deepest cataloged entry in a registry that underscores just how frequently this particular die failure mode occurred across Denver's massive 1983 cent production. Nine distinct obverse dies — each independently verified as unique through positional analysis of the spike and comparison of ancillary die markers — developed cracks at or near the top of Lincoln's head that propagated far enough to produce the characteristic raised protrusion on struck coins. This concentration of spiked head failures on a single date speaks to the interplay between production volume, die service life, and the inherent geometry of the Lincoln portrait that makes the crown region a natural fracture initiation site. Collectors searching for 1983-D spiked heads can examine the area directly above Lincoln's highest hair curl for any raised line or bar extending toward the rim — even faint examples represent genuine die cracks, though confirmation requires comparison with the specific positional and angular characteristics documented for each variety. The copper-plated zinc planchet's thin copper coating fills the die crack seamlessly during striking, and the spike's surface finish is indistinguishable from the surrounding design. Attribution by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Patrick (Mike) Winstead
• Cross reference: none. 02/19/2022.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References