1858 Flying Eagle Cent (Small Letters) Reverse Rim Cud (9 to 11 o'clock)

Description

Spanning approximately sixty degrees of the reverse rim from the 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock position, this substantial cud on an 1858 Small Letters Flying Eagle Cent documents a major die failure on one of America's most historically significant small cent designs. A cud forms when a section of the die rim fractures and separates completely from the die body, leaving a cavity that fills with metal during striking to produce a raised, featureless blob on the finished coin — obliterating whatever design elements occupied that portion of the rim. The Flying Eagle Cent, designed by James B. Longacre, was produced for only three years from 1856 through 1858, with the 1856 issue being a pattern coin struck in limited quantities. The 1858 comes in two major varieties distinguished by the size of the reverse lettering — Large Letters and Small Letters — and this cud appears on the Small Letters variety. The reverse wreath design, encircling the denomination "ONE CENT," provided the structural context for the die rim failure. Given the brief production span and relatively low total mintage of Flying Eagle Cents, cuds on this series are considerably scarcer than those found on the long-running Lincoln Cent series that followed. The Philadelphia Mint was the sole production facility during this era, and the copper-nickel alloy used for Flying Eagle Cents was notoriously hard on dies, contributing to accelerated die wear and rim failures. This cud's broad coverage of the rim indicates an advanced stage of die deterioration before the die was finally retired from service.