CU-1C-1846-2 Cud

Description

Positioned between CU-1C-1846-1 and CU-1C-1846-3 in the Cuds on Coins catalog, this second documented rim cud on the 1846 Small Date Braided Hair cent adds to an unusually dense concentration of die-break varieties for a single date in the large cent series. The Philadelphia Mint's 1846 production of approximately 4.1 million large cents consumed multiple die pairs, and the evidence of three cataloged cuds points to aggressive die utilization — dies were kept in service until failure rather than being retired at the first signs of cracking. Braided Hair cents measure 27.5mm in diameter, substantially larger than any circulating U.S. coin produced after 1857, and the broad copper flan demanded high striking pressure to bring up the full obverse portrait and reverse wreath details. That pressure accelerated rim fractures. Collectors examining potential matches should note that no cross-references beyond the Cuds on Coins designation have been recorded, and die-state progression analysis may help determine whether this cud developed from a die crack documented on another variety listing or represents a wholly independent failure point. Large cent cuds from the 1840s remain accessible enough to build a small type collection of die failures.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Friscomint1793 on eBay
• CU-1C-1846-2; none.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References