1823 Matron Head Coronet Head Cent - Matron Head Large Cent Obverse Cud

Description

Positioned between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock on the obverse, this cud die break on an 1823 Matron Head large cent documents a significant rim failure. A cud forms when a section of the die rim fractures and separates completely from the die body, leaving a cavity that fills with planchet metal during striking to produce a raised, featureless area on the finished coin that obliterates whatever design elements occupied that portion of the rim. The Matron Head design, attributed to Robert Scot and modified by John Reich, features a larger Liberty head with a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen stars on the obverse and a wreath encircling ONE CENT on the reverse. Large cents of this era were struck on substantial copper planchets measuring approximately 28-29mm in diameter and weighing about 10.89 grams, and the forces required to fully strike these heavy coins placed significant stress on die rims. The Philadelphia Mint was the only operating facility during this period, and dies were individually prepared through a labor-intensive process that made each one a significant investment. Die rim failures on early large cents are actively studied by specialists in the Newcomb attribution system, which catalogs die varieties for the entire early cent series.