RCD-50c-1806-01R Retained Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this retained cud appears on the reverse of the 1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar from the 6 over 5 Large Stars die marriage, an overdate variety where the 6 was punched over a previously engraved 5. The Large Stars designation refers to the star size on the obverse, distinguishing this die from the Small Stars variant. A retained cud on an early Draped Bust Half Dollar is a remarkable survival, as these large silver coins were produced in modest quantities at Philadelphia using hand-operated presses. The retained cud indicates a portion of the reverse die fractured but remained lodged in position, creating coins displaying both disrupted design and the outline of the retained fragment. The overdate characteristic adds complexity, as overdates were common when the early Mint recycled previously dated dies by punching new numerals over old ones. Collectors of early silver varieties regard retained cuds on Draped Bust coinage as particularly significant within the broader landscape of early American die failures.

Attribution History

• Discovered by DavidKahnRareCoins on E-bay
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References