SKH-1c-1990-01 Spiked Head

Description

The earliest documented spiked head variety on the 1990 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, SKH-1c-1990-01 was reported on March 21, 2016, establishing the initial catalog entry for this error type on the date. Spiked head varieties occur when a die crack or die chip near Lincoln's head on the obverse die creates a narrow protrusion that transfers as a raised spike-like feature extending from the portrait — typically from the top of the head, though spikes can emerge from any point along the profile. The mechanism involves a fine crack in the die face that opens slightly under striking pressure, allowing planchet metal to flow into the gap and form a thin raised line on the finished coin. The resulting spike can range from a barely perceptible thread to a dramatic projection several millimeters long, depending on the crack's width and depth. As the first of four spiked heads cataloged for 1990 Philadelphia, SKH-01 stood alone in the catalog for eight years before renewed collector interest in the mid-2020s produced three additional discoveries in rapid succession. This gap between the 2016 initial report and the 2024 cluster of discoveries reflects broader trends in error coin collecting, where digital photography and online attribution communities have accelerated the pace of variety documentation. Struck on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Shad Lundal
• Cross reference: none. 03/21/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References