SKH-10c-1953-01 Spiked Head

Description

Spiked head varieties occur overwhelmingly on Lincoln Cents, making this example on a 1953 Philadelphia Mint Roosevelt Dime a genuinely uncommon find for the error type. A spiked head forms when a die crack or die chip near the top of the portrait creates a spike-like projection extending from the figure's head — on a Roosevelt Dime, this means the spike emanates from Roosevelt's profile rather than the more familiar Lincoln bust. This is the first documented spiked head for the 1953-P Roosevelt Dime, cataloged by Cuds on Coins. Beyond the primary spiked head variety, the reverse die exhibits a die crack nicknamed "black arrows" for the appearance of the crack pattern, adding a secondary diagnostic feature to this already unusual coin. Die cracks on the reverse can serve as important attribution markers, helping collectors confirm they are examining the correct die pair. The 1953 Roosevelt Dime was struck at Philadelphia during the silver composition era — 90% silver and 10% copper — making this a spiked head on a silver coin, further differentiating it from the copper and zinc-plated spiked heads common on Lincoln Cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson
• Cross reference: none. 10/15/2018.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References