SKH-1c-1958-07 Spike Head

Description

Even proof dies, which are retired far earlier than business strike dies due to stricter quality standards, can develop the fatigue cracks that produce spike head varieties — and Cohen Index 58-71 documents one such die from the 1958 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent production. Cataloged as SKH-1c-1958-07 in the Cuds on Coins registry, this variety demonstrates that die cracking is not exclusively a high-volume phenomenon: proof dies, which typically strike only hundreds to a few thousand coins before replacement, can still develop fractures through Lincoln's portrait under the intensified striking pressure that characterizes proof production. The multiple blows required for each proof impression concentrate stress at the same points repeatedly, and the polished die surfaces that create mirror-like fields may actually be more susceptible to crack initiation at surface imperfections than the unpolished surfaces of business strike dies. Cohen Index 58-71 positions this variety late in the 1958 die variety sequence, reflecting the extensive cataloging effort applied to this historically significant date. The 1958 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent represents the final proof issue of Brenner's wheat ears reverse, which would be replaced by the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. Philadelphia Mint, struck on specially prepared planchets to the exacting standards that define proof coinage production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Marvin L
• Cross reference number: Cohen Index 58-71. 08/17/2022.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References