RCD-5C-1866-06 Retained Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as RCD-5C-1866-06, this retained cud variety appears on the 1866 Shield Nickel with Rays — the very first year of the five-cent nickel denomination in the United States. Retained cuds occur when a die breaks at the rim and the broken fragment remains in position rather than separating, creating a raised area where the crack outline is visible but the design detail within the break zone is still partially preserved. This distinguishes retained cuds from full cuds, where the fragment separates completely and leaves a featureless raised blob. The 1866 Shield Nickel, designed by James B. Longacre, introduced the shield obverse and the distinctive reverse with rays between the stars — a design element that lasted only this single year before being removed in 1867. Die varieties from the inaugural year of the nickel denomination carry special significance for collectors of early type coins and error specialists alike, and retained cuds provide insight into the progressive failure of dies under the stress of high-volume coinage production.

Attribution History

• RCD-5C-1866-06
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References