SKH-1c-1991-10 Spiked Head

Description

Reported on March 20, 2019, SKH-1c-1991-10 of the 1991 Lincoln Memorial cent is distinguished by a companion diagnostic: a reverse die crack noted by the cataloger. The presence of cracking on both the obverse (producing the spiked head) and the reverse (producing the die crack) demonstrates that this particular die pair was deteriorating on both working surfaces simultaneously — a condition indicating that both dies had accumulated substantial fatigue by the time this coin was struck. When a die develops cracks on one face, it does not necessarily follow that the paired die on the opposite side is also cracking, since obverse and reverse dies are manufactured, installed, and replaced independently. However, when both dies in a pair show cracking, it suggests either that both had been in service for an extended period or that production conditions at that point in the press run were particularly stressful. The reverse die crack serves as an additional attribution marker, helping collectors confirm they have identified the correct die pair when examining 1991-P cents for this specific spiked head variety. Struck at Philadelphia 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 Alan English
• Cross reference: none. 03/20/2019.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References