1837 Modified Matron Head Coronet Head Cent - Plain Cords, Medium Letters - PC-1c-1837-05 Pre-Cud

Description

Appearing on an 1837 Modified Matron Head Coronet Head Cent, this pre-cud was cataloged by Cuds on Coins with no cross-references (dated 02/17/2025). Cuds on Coins does not say which 1837 reverse lettering the coin has; its obverse photo shows plain hair cords. Pre-cuds capture the stage of die failure where the rim has cracked but the fractured section remains attached, showing the fracture pattern before the break progresses to a retained cud or full cud. The distinction between Medium Letters and Small Letters subtypes reflects the multiple letter punches used across different die pairings during 1837 cent production at the Philadelphia Mint. The Modified Matron Head design represented Christian Gobrecht's refinement of the Matron Head type, characterized by a smaller Liberty head with redesigned hair and coronet details. Large copper cents of the late 1830s were struck at the sole U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia, and die preparation was an entirely manual craft where each die was individually created, hardened, and put into service until it failed. The 02/17/2025 catalog date demonstrates that pre-Civil War copper varieties continue to be documented nearly 190 years after the coins were produced, as researchers examine surviving specimens with modern tools and classification systems.

Cross References

• Cross reference: None. 02/17/2025.

External References