SKH-1c-1998-19 Spiked Head

Description

Nineteenth spiked head variety cataloged for the 1998 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent, SKH-1c-1998-19 features a die crack extending from Lincoln's head that creates the characteristic spike-like projection, accompanied by a reverse die crack noted by the cataloger. Nineteen spiked heads from a single date represents one of the higher concentrations in the Lincoln Cent spiked head catalog, consistent with 1998's record-setting cent production — Philadelphia alone struck over 5.03 billion cents that year, the highest single-facility annual output for the denomination. This enormous volume required thousands of obverse die pairs, each carrying an independent probability of developing the stress fractures near Lincoln's head that produce spiked head varieties. Spiked heads form when die cracks develop at stress concentration points near the portrait — typically where fine detail meets the open field — and the widening crack fills with metal during striking to create a raised protrusion. The reverse die crack provides a secondary diagnostic marker for identifying this specific die pair. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins on January 10, 2018, no independent cross-references have been established. The copper-plated zinc composition used since 1982 creates particular die interaction characteristics during the striking process, and the 1998 date's enormous production volume makes it one of the richest hunting grounds for spiked head collectors. The Memorial reverse design by Frank Gasparro was in its fortieth year of continuous production in 1998, approaching the half-century mark that it would reach in 2008.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Zach Llewellyn
• Cross reference:  none. 01/10/2018.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References