SKH-1c-1950-03 Spike Head

Description

The Cohen Index designation 50-67 anchors this variety within the established die variety reference system for Lincoln Cents, providing collectors with a standardized attribution number independent of the Cuds on Coins catalog listing SKH-1c-1950-03. The Cohen Index, compiled as a comprehensive catalog of Lincoln Cent die varieties, assigns sequential numbers within each date — and 50-67 indicates this spike head die was the 67th variety cataloged for the 1950 date, reflecting the substantial number of die varieties documented across both proof and business strike production. This 1950 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent displays the characteristic raised spike from Lincoln's head created by a die crack channeling metal during the multiple-impression proof striking process. Proof production resumed at the Philadelphia Mint in 1950 after a seven-year suspension during and after World War II, and the proof Lincoln Cent was among the denominations included in the revived proof sets. The mirror-like fields and frosted portrait detail characteristic of proof strikings provide an ideal surface for observing die crack anomalies, as the contrast between reflective fields and the raised spike makes the variety readily apparent. Spike head varieties on proof cents are scarcer than their business strike counterparts due to the dramatically lower production numbers of proof issues.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 50-67. 03/18/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References