SKH-1c-2012-03 Spiked Head

Description

Third spiked head documented for the 2012 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Shield Cent, this variety captures a die clash event from the third year of Shield reverse production. When the obverse and reverse dies strike each other directly — a clash caused by a planchet feed failure — the prominent relief of the Union Shield design impresses into the obverse die, and the transferred detail creates a raised spike projecting from Lincoln's portrait. The 2012-P cent was manufactured at a time when the cost of producing each penny exceeded its one-cent face value, a situation that generated periodic calls to eliminate the denomination but no legislative action. Despite these economic debates, Philadelphia continued high-volume cent production, and the number of die pairs consumed ensured that clash events occurred regularly. Three spiked heads for 2012-P represents an early tally; additional discoveries may expand the count as more coins from this date are examined. SKH-1c-2012-03 is cataloged by Cuds on Coins. The Shield Cent's bold reverse design — featuring a shield motif representing national unity — has proven more prolific at generating visually distinctive spiked heads than the Memorial reverse that preceded it, due to its deeper and more geometric relief elements.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• Cross reference: none. 10/28/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References