SKH-1c-2007-03 Spiked Head

Description

Third spiked head from the 2007 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent, this variety was produced during the penultimate year of the Memorial reverse design. After 2008, the Memorial would be permanently retired, making 2007-P one of the final dates from which Memorial-design spiked heads could emerge. The die clash mechanism that created this variety involves a press cycle without a planchet, during which the Lincoln Memorial reverse — with its twelve columns, steps, and classical architectural details — contacts the obverse die and transfers elements that appear as a raised spike on subsequently struck coins. Three documented spiked heads for the 2007-P indicates moderate clash activity, consistent with a date that produced billions of cents but did not attract the concentrated searching attention that drove tallies into the dozens for dates like 1995-P and 1999-P. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins on July 25, 2017, this variety was documented during the active period of Memorial Cent spiked head research that characterized the mid-to-late 2010s. Each of the three 2007-P entries documents a unique die pair that experienced a clash event, with distinct spike geometries enabling attribution between the varieties. Collectors who focus on late-series Memorial Cents find that 2007-P spiked heads carry an added dimension of historical significance, representing some of the final examples of Lincoln Memorial design elements transferring during die clash events. Six entries now documented for the 2007-P confirm that additional searching may yield further discoveries from this penultimate date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lakay Cillitok
• Cross reference: none. 07/25/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References