SKH-1c-1964-03 Cud

Description

Listed with "Cud" in its title as a legacy import artifact while properly classified under the "Spiked Head" error type, this SKH-1c-1964-03 is the third cataloged spiked head variety for the 1964 Lincoln cent, represented here as a proof strike. Spiked head varieties are among the most recognizable die deterioration errors on Lincoln cents, characterized by a raised projection or spike extending from Lincoln's head that results from a die crack or chip in the corresponding area of the obverse die. The spike is formed when die steel fractures and a fragment separates, leaving a void that captures metal during striking. On proof coins, the contrast between the spike's typically rough or irregular surface and the surrounding mirror-like proof field can make the variety particularly visually striking, as the matte-textured spike stands out sharply against the deeply reflective background. Cross-referenced as Cohen Index 64-55 with a documentation date of 01/26/2021, making this one of the more recently documented spiked head varieties for the 1964 date. The Cohen Index number 64-55 indicates the fifty-fifth spiked head cataloged for 1964. The 2021 documentation date demonstrates that new spiked head discoveries continue to emerge even decades after the coins were struck, as collectors examine previously uninspected coins and report new die deterioration patterns. A companion listing exists under the same SKH-1c-1964-03 designation as a regular strike variety. Attributed by Cuds on Coins. Struck from the 1964 proof mintage of 3,950,762 cents on a polished 3.11-gram, 19mm bronze planchet of 95% copper and 5% tin-zinc.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Steve Young
• Cross reference: Cohen Index 64-55. 01/26/2021.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References