SKH-1C-2014-04 Spike Head

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as SKH-1C-2014-04, this spiked head variety is one of dozens identified on the 2014 Lincoln Shield Cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The phenomenon behind spiked heads is straightforward: a chip or crack develops in the die steel adjacent to Lincoln's portrait, and the resulting void transfers as a raised metallic projection on every coin struck by that die until it is retired or the damage progresses further. What makes the 2014 date remarkable within the Lincoln Shield Cent series is the sheer volume of distinct spiked head dies documented — each representing a separate working die that developed this specific failure mode independently. On the zinc-core copper-plated planchets used since 1982, die chips tend to produce clean, well-defined spikes because the softer planchet metal flows readily into the die void during the striking process, faithfully reproducing even small chips as visible raised features. Collectors who pursue spiked head varieties appreciate their accessibility — most are inexpensive to acquire and easy to attribute with basic magnification — while the large 2014 population offers an opportunity to assemble a study set illustrating the range of chip sizes and positions within a single date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• SKH-1C-2014-04
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References