1867 Shield Nickel - No Rays - RCD-5c-1867-14 Retained Cud

Description

RCD-5c-1867-14, a retained cud on the 1867 Shield Nickel, shows die quality challenges that persisted even after the reverse redesign. The rays behind the stars on the original 1866 reverse were removed in 1867 because they were thought to cause premature die failure, yet the No Rays version continued to produce retained cuds. Each retained cud occurs at a different position along the coin's rim, and distinguishing the -14 from the -13 requires careful comparison against published reference images. A retained cud forms when a fractured section of die rim breaks loose but is held in place rather than falling out, producing a raised area that keeps its design. RCD-5c-1867-14 is cataloged in the Cuds on Coins reference system and was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The Shield Nickel was the first nickel five-cent piece, composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. No additional cross-references have been recorded. This variety was documented by the Cuds on Coins reference.

External References