SKH-1c-1986-12 Spiked Head

Description

Carrying the James Cassin census cross-reference JCc-1986_021, SKH-1c-1986-12 on the 1986 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent is further distinguished by reverse die cracks indicated by white arrows in reference imagery. The presence of reverse die cracks alongside the obverse spiked head documents a die pair where fatigue damage had advanced on both sides simultaneously — a condition indicating the press had been running with aging dies long enough for both the obverse and reverse to develop significant cracking. The white arrows annotated in reference images direct attributors to the specific locations of the reverse cracks, serving as secondary diagnostic markers beyond the primary obverse spike. This convergence of obverse and reverse deterioration makes SKH-12 one of the more diagnostically rich entries in the 1986-P spiked head census: collectors can confirm attribution by matching not only the spike geometry but also the reverse crack pattern against published references. The JCc-1986_021 cross-reference provides an independent verification through the Cassin catalog, reinforcing the variety's documented status. With fifteen spiked heads cataloged for 1986-P, varieties like SKH-12 that offer multiple diagnostic features across both die faces simplify the attribution process for cherry-pickers sorting through this extensive census. Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark) on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1986 mintage of 4,491,395,493 cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference: JCc-1986_021. 12/21/2023.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References