SKH-1c-1953S-02 Spiked Head

Description

Originating from a different die than SKH-1c-1953S-01, this second spiked head variety for the 1953 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent is cross-referenced as Cohen Index 53S-DM2 rather than the 53S-71D assigned to the first — confirming that two separate obverse dies developed spike-forming cracks during the 1953-S production run. Documented at Stage 2 of 3, this mid-die state captures the spike at an intermediate point in its development — past the sharp initial formation of Stage 1 but before the maximum deterioration recorded in the final stage. The "DM2" die designation in the Cohen catalog distinguishes this from the 71D die used for SKH-01, and the different stage counts (3 for this die versus 4 for SKH-01) reflect the distinct service life of each die. Spiked heads form when a crack or chip near the top of Lincoln's portrait creates a raised projection extending from the head, and different dies develop spikes with varying shapes and progression patterns. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, two separate spiked head dies for 1953-S illustrate how die deterioration was a common byproduct of San Francisco's cent production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 53S-DM2 Stage 2 of 3. 12/21/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References