SKH-1c-1984-01 Spiked Head

Description

Cataloged as the inaugural spiked head for the 1984 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, SKH-1c-1984-01 represents a die crack variety whose collecting appeal rests on an instantly recognizable visual signature. The spike — a raised line projecting from Lincoln's portrait into the surrounding field — results from die steel fracturing along a radial path from the deepest part of the design cavity. Victor David Brenner's portrait places Lincoln's head in sharp, high relief, requiring significant metal displacement in the die to create the corresponding recess. This deep cavity concentrates stress at its perimeter during striking, and when cumulative fatigue exceeds the steel's endurance limit, a crack initiates and propagates outward. The resulting raised line on struck coins mimics a horn, antenna, or spike growing from Lincoln's head, depending on its direction and length. First documented on November 21, 2016, this variety was produced at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets weighing 2.5 grams from the 1984 mintage exceeding 8.15 billion cents. Authentication relies on confirming the spike's consistent position and geometry across multiple specimens from the same die.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• Cross reference: none. 11/21/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References