1991 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - SKH-1c-1991-17 Spiked Head

Description

Reported on April 17, 2024 — just two days after SKH-16 — SKH-1c-1991-17 of the 1991 Lincoln Memorial cent may well have been found through the systematic practice of roll searching. Roll searchers acquire unsearched bank-wrapped rolls of cents — typically $0.50 rolls containing 50 coins — and examine each coin under magnification for varieties, errors, and other collectible anomalies. A dedicated roll searcher may process hundreds of rolls per week, creating a statistical opportunity to encounter scarce varieties through sheer volume of examined coins. Spiked heads are particularly suited to roll searching because the spike projects from the highest point on the obverse (Lincoln's head), making it one of the first features visible when a coin is tipped under light. Experienced roll searchers develop a rhythm: unwrap, fan the coins across a felt surface, scan the obverse of each coin with a loupe or magnifying visor, set aside anything unusual, and re-roll the remainder. The close reporting dates of SKH-16 and SKH-17 suggest these may have been found during the same extended searching session or from the same batch of acquired rolls. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 04/17/2024.

External References