SKH-1c-1952S-02A Spiked Head

Description

Documented at Stage 1 of 3, this spiked head on the 1952 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent captures the variety at its earliest known die state — when the spike was sharpest and most crisply defined before continued use began altering its appearance. Cohen Index 52S-73A identifies this initial stage, with subsequent stages B and C documenting the spike's evolution. At Stage A, collectors can expect the cleanest impression with the crispest edges and most distinct separation from surrounding design. As the die wears through later stages, the spike typically broadens and overall sharpness diminishes. San Francisco cents from the early 1950s were produced in smaller quantities than Denver counterparts, making S-mint die varieties proportionally less common. Spiked head errors form when die steel near Lincoln's portrait fractures, creating a void that fills with metal during striking. The three-stage documentation provides a complete visual timeline from initial formation through advanced deterioration. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this Stage A specimen offers the earliest snapshot of a spiked head die from San Francisco's modest early-1950s production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 52S-73A Stage 1 of 3. 04/02/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References