2014 (P) Lincoln Shield Cent - SKH-1C-2014-10 Spike Head

Description

SKH-1C-2014-10 is a spiked head on the 2014 Lincoln Shield Cent, from the Philadelphia Mint's production of this year. This spiked head variety was cataloged by Cuds on Coins. Die chip varieties like spiked heads form through metallurgical fatigue: the repeated impact of striking thousands of coins causes microscopic cracks to initiate and propagate through the die steel, and when these cracks reach a free surface near the portrait cavity, a chip separates. The void left behind is faithfully reproduced on every subsequent coin as a raised metallic projection. The zinc-core copper-plated composition of modern Lincoln Cents, adopted in 1982, means the softer planchet material conforms closely to die surface irregularities, making even small chips clearly visible on struck coins. This faithful reproduction of minor die damage is what makes systematic cataloging of spiked heads possible and meaningful for the variety collecting community.

Cross References

• SKH-1C-2014-10

External References