SKH-1c-1987-08 Spiked Head

Description

The eighth spiked head in the 1987 census, SKH-1c-1987-08 is cataloged by Cuds on Coins as part of the Lincoln Memorial cent's extensive record of die damage varieties for this date. Among the factors contributing to the large number of spiked heads on 1987 cents is the Mint's die preparation process itself. Working dies are produced from working hubs through a hubbing press, and any imperfection introduced during die finishing — polishing, heat treatment, or chrome plating — can create stress risers in the die surface that predispose specific areas to subsequent damage during high-speed striking operations. The top of Lincoln's head, with its intricate hair detail transitioning sharply into the smooth field, is a natural stress concentration zone where these predispositions are most likely to manifest as chips or gouges. Spiked heads are particularly appealing to collectors who enjoy the treasure-hunt aspect of numismatics: because they formed on dies that continued in regular production after the damage occurred, spiked head cents were mixed into normal coinage and distributed through standard channels, meaning they can theoretically appear in any roll, bag, or handful of change from the 1987 production year. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987 mintage of 4,682,466,931 cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Oney
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References