SKH-1c-1970D-04 Spiked Head

Description

Third in the documented spiked head varieties for the 1970-D Lincoln Memorial cent, SKH-1c-1970D-03 adds another die to a roster that would eventually encompass seven distinct spiked head dies for this single date and mintmark. No cross-references or documentation dates have been published, placing its attribution entirely within the spiked head catalog maintained by die break specialists. The concentration of seven spiked head varieties on the 1970-D date is notable even within the context of this date's prolific error output — while RPMs and DDOs reflect die preparation anomalies occurring before a die enters service, spiked heads document what happens during service as dies progressively deteriorate under production stress. Each of the seven 1970-D spiked head dies developed its crack independently, at its own unique location on Lincoln's portrait, following its own propagation path into the surrounding field. Collectors can potentially assemble a set of seven visually distinct spike configurations from a single date — each showing a different angle, length, and origin point reflecting the unique stress history of its parent die. For the cherry-picker examining 1970-D cents, spiked heads are among the more accessible varieties to spot because the spike projection often extends far enough into the open field above Lincoln's head to be visible at low magnification or even to the unaided eye on well-preserved specimens.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Claude Butcher
• Cross reference: none. 02/15/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References