PC-1c-1864-02R Pre-Cud

Description

Representing the second reverse pre-cud identified on the 1864 Indian Head cent copper-nickel type, PC-1c-1864-02R was cataloged by the Cuds on Coins attribution service. The naming convention follows the standard format: PC for pre-cud, 1c for the one-cent denomination, 1864 for the date, and 02R for the second reverse pre-cud. The 1864 date is a pivotal year in Indian Head cent production because it marks the transition from copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel) to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) composition — both types were struck in 1864, creating two distinct sub-types for collectors. This pre-cud is specifically noted on the copper-nickel variety, which carries the thicker planchet and heavier weight (4.67 grams versus 3.11 grams for the bronze type) that characterized Indian Head cents from 1860 through mid-1864. James B. Longacre's design features Liberty wearing a feathered headdress on the obverse and an oak wreath with shield encircling ONE CENT on the reverse. Philadelphia struck a combined total of approximately 39.23 million Indian Head cents in 1864 across both compositions. The copper-nickel alloy — substantially harder than the bronze composition that replaced it — demanded greater striking force and accelerated die wear, contributing to rim-area cracking that produces pre-cuds. The transition to softer bronze in 1864 was partly motivated by the difficulty of striking the harder copper-nickel blanks, which wore dies faster and created more quality issues during production. Two documented reverse pre-cuds on the copper-nickel 1864 variety provide evidence of the die stress associated with this harder composition in its final year of production. Collectors should examine the reverse rim under 10-15x magnification for fine raised lines indicating incipient die cracks.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References