SD-1c-1864-01 Split Die

Description

Sharing its catalog number with the Bronze No L variant entry but occurring on a different parent coin, this SD-1c-1864-01 documents a median split die on the 1864 Indian Head Cent L on Ribbon variant—the version bearing designer James Longacre's initial "L" engraved on the Indian headdress ribbon. The L on Ribbon variety was introduced partway through 1864 production, making it the scarcer of the two bronze variants, and a split die on this issue adds a die failure dimension to an already collectible type. A split die represents the terminal stage of die degradation: where a retained cud involves separation of a peripheral fragment, a split die involves a fracture that divides the die into major sections. The median classification specifies that the fracture ran through the approximate center of the die face, producing a raised line across the middle of struck coins and potentially causing design elements on either side to appear shifted or weakly struck where the halves lost alignment. Cataloged and verified by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Cross reference: none. Median split die.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References