2013 (P) Lincoln Shield Cent - SKH-1c-2013-02 Spiked Head

Description

This entry documents a die crack into the bust on a 2013 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Shield Cent. The rapid progression from -01 to -02 indicates that die variety researchers identified multiple distinct spiked heads during early examination of the 2013-P population. A spiked head forms when a crack opens in the obverse die and runs from the rim into Lincoln's bust. Planchet metal fills the crack during striking and manifests as a raised protrusion from Lincoln's head. Each spiked head is unique to the specific die and crack that created it, identified by measuring the spike's exact position relative to landmarks on Lincoln's portrait. The 2013-P was the fourth production year for the Shield Cent design, and by this point the die variety community had established systematic search protocols for locating new spiked heads. SKH-1c-2013-02 is cataloged by Cuds on Coins.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 09/23/2016.

External References