SKH-1c-1971D-24 Spiked Head

Description

Recorded on January 23, 2018, SKH-1c-1971D-24 on the 1971-D Lincoln Memorial cent brings the documented spiked head count for this date to twenty-four distinct working dies — a number that already exceeded the total spiked head production for most other dates in the Memorial cent series combined. Attributed by Cuds on Coins, this variety emerged roughly two weeks after the SKH-22/SKH-23 pair, maintaining the steady discovery cadence that characterized the early months of 2018. The die crack responsible for SKH-24 followed the same mechanical genesis as every other spiked head in the catalog: cyclic stress from repeated striking drove a fatigue crack through the die steel at the high-relief zone of Lincoln's portrait, and the crack propagated outward into the field along a path dictated by the die's unique internal grain structure. No cross-references have been established. The practical challenge for collectors at this depth in the catalog is distinguishing SKH-24 from its neighbors — with twenty-four variations of essentially the same phenomenon, accurate attribution requires measuring the spike's precise angular orientation, its length relative to the portrait, and any secondary die fatigue indicators that may appear on the same working die. Directional lighting remains the most effective examination technique, casting shadows along the raised spike to reveal its contour against the field.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bob Byrd
• Cross reference: none. 01/23/2018.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References