SKH-1c-1948-01 Spiked Head

Description

Cross-referenced as Cohen Index 48-75, this 1948 Philadelphia Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a spiked head variety — a die crack extending into or from Lincoln's portrait, creating a raised spike-like projection on the obverse. Spiked head varieties are among the most visually striking die crack types on Lincoln Cents, as the crack's intersection with Lincoln's profile produces an unmistakable protrusion visible even at modest magnification. The die that produced SKH-1c-1948-01 also displays a separate feature near the letters WE: a line to the left of WE caused by delamination of the die steel rather than cracking, a distinct metallurgical failure mode on the same working die. Die delamination occurs when layers within the steel separate due to internal stress or material defects, producing raised lines on struck coins that differ in character from the sharper edges of a true die crack. The 1948 Philadelphia Wheat Cent was struck in standard bronze composition — 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc — following the post-war return to the pre-1943 alloy. Cohen's catalog number 48-75 provides formal attribution within the comprehensive Cohen die-crack indexing system.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 48-75. The line to the left of WE was caused by de-lamination. 01/23/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References