SKH-1c-1971D-13 Spiked Head

Description

Thirteenth in the spiked head sequence for the 1971-D Lincoln Memorial cent, SKH-1c-1971D-13 was documented on December 26, 2017, continuing the late-December discovery surge that produced several new catalog entries in quick succession. Attributed by Cuds on Coins, this variety adds to what is among the most thoroughly documented spiked head populations in the entire Lincoln cent series. The timing — multiple discoveries clustered around the 2017 holiday season — may reflect the reality that dedicated variety collectors often devote concentrated examination time during periods away from regular obligations, sorting through accumulations of coins with the sustained focus that spiked head identification demands. Each spike's raised metallic line preserves the geometry of a die crack that formed under the relentless mechanical stress of Denver's coinage production, and SKH-1c-1971D-13's specific crack profile distinguishes it from the twelve preceding entries and the eight that would follow. For variety specialists maintaining die variety inventories, accurate attribution at this depth in the catalog requires side-by-side comparison of the spike's angular departure from Lincoln's head against the reference photographs published for each numbered entry.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bob Byrd
• Cross reference: none. 12/26/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References