CU-1C-1838-02 Cud

Description

Second documented cud for the 1838 Modified Matron Head Coronet Head Cent, CU-1C-1838-02 records a rim fracture from a different die than CU-1C-1838-04, offering two separate windows into die failure on this date. Each cud catalog number represents a unique die — once a rim fragment separates, that specific break is tied to one die for the remainder of its working life, so two different catalog numbers mean two different dies fractured during the 1838 production run. The Modified Matron Head design was in its penultimate year by 1838, as 1839 would bring both the final Modified Matron Head issues and the transition to the Braided Hair type. Cuds form when the accumulated stress of repeated striking causes a section of die metal at the rim to crack, separate, and fall away, leaving a void that fills during subsequent strikes. On large copper cents, where the rim area carries significant design pressure from the denticles and lettering, rim fractures were not uncommon. The 1838 date saw a mintage of approximately 6.4 million cents, requiring numerous die pairs and creating multiple opportunities for rim failures. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Friscomint1793 on eBay
• CU-1C-1838-02
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References