SKH-1c-2013-03 Spiked Head

Description

Die cracks propagating through Lincoln's head on Shield Cents produce the distinctive "spiked head" appearance that gives this error category its name, and SKH-1c-2013-03 is the third such variety documented on the 2013 Philadelphia issue. When a die crack extends from the rim through the top of Lincoln's portrait, struck coins display a raised spike or horn protruding from the president's head — a visually arresting error that attracts both variety specialists and casual collectors. Cross-referenced as Copper Coins 2013P-1DO-010 Class 9 DDO, this die also exhibits a doubled die obverse classification and carries a long die crack running across the top of the shield on the reverse, making it a multi-error die that rewards thorough examination under magnification. The Lincoln Shield Cent reverse, designed by Lyndall Bass and introduced in 2010, features the Union Shield with horizontal lines and vertical stripes that provide clear reference geometry for identifying die cracks. Philadelphia's 2013 cent production generated billions of coins on high-speed presses operating continuously, creating conditions where progressive die deterioration through cracking was statistically inevitable across the die population. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins with documentation dated December 13, 2016, this spiked head variety exemplifies how a single die can accumulate multiple collectible defects simultaneously as it approaches the end of its operational lifespan.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jim Fines
• Cross reference: Copper Coins 2013P-1DO-010 Class 9 DDO, Long Die Crack on the top of the shield on reverse. 12/13/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References