1857 Flying Eagle Cent Reverse Rim Cud (9 o'clock)

Description

A raised interruption in the design rim at the 9 o'clock position on the reverse marks where part of the die's rim gutter was lost during production of this 1857 Flying Eagle cent. Rim cuds form when accumulated die fatigue costs the die part of its rim gutter. On this example, the cud sits just above the 9 o'clock position on the reverse, west of "ONE" in the wreath denomination area. Every coin struck after the rim gutter was lost carries the same raised interruption — a permanent die state marker that persists until the die was retired from production. The Flying Eagle cent series (1857-1858) marked a transformative moment in U.S. coinage: the shift from large copper cents to the smaller, lighter format that would continue through the Indian Head and Lincoln series.