SKH-1c-1952-02 Spiked Head

Description

Second documented spiked head on the 1952 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, SKH-1c-1952-02 is cross-referenced to Cohen Index 52-74A+80 Stage 3 of 5, placing this coin within a five-stage die progression where the spiked head represents the third observable state of the die's deterioration. This stage progression context distinguishes this variety from isolated spiked heads documented on other dates: rather than a standalone die clash observation, Stage 3 of 5 indicates researchers tracked this die through five distinct states from early to terminal, with the spiked head characteristic developing or changing across these stages. Cataloged on March 25, 2016, by Cuds on Coins, this variety occurred on the Wheat Cent obverse where Lincoln's portrait, designed by Victor David Brenner in 1909, remained in continuous service. Spiked heads on Wheat Cents form through the same die clash mechanism as on Shield Cents — the obverse and reverse dies contact each other without a planchet, and reverse design elements transfer to the obverse die — but the wheat ears reverse produces different clash patterns than the later Union Shield, with the organic lines of the wheat stalks creating different spike morphologies. The 1952-P cent was struck during a period of substantial peacetime production, and the Cohen Index reference provides a parallel attribution pathway that predates the Cuds on Coins catalog system. Five documented die stages for a single die's progression is unusually detailed, suggesting this particular die pair was examined with exceptional thoroughness, with specimens identified from each phase of its production life from early die state through terminal failure.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 52-74A+80 Stage 3 of 5. 03/25/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References