RCD-5c-1868-06 Retained Cud

Description

Completing the trio of 1868 Shield Nickel retained cuds in this batch, RCD-5c-1868-06 is the sixth such variety cataloged for the year by Cuds on Coins — evidence that die rim failures were a recurring issue for the hard nickel alloy. A retained cud forms when a die crack reaches critical length at the rim but the broken piece does not detach, instead remaining in place and continuing to strike coins. The result is a coin bearing a raised crack line and a zone of weakened or distorted design where the retained fragment has shifted slightly from its original position. Die failure at the rim is mechanically distinct from interior die cracks: the rim represents the edge of the die face where stress concentrates during the striking cycle, making it the most common location for fractures to initiate. Once a crack begins, each subsequent strike extends it until the fragment either stays (retained cud) or separates (full cud). This Philadelphia Mint regular strike was produced in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams, bearing James B. Longacre's Shield obverse and wreath reverse. The catalog code reads RCD for retained cud, 5c for the nickel denomination, 1868 for the year, and 06 as the sequence. Examine the rim area for the characteristic retained fracture pattern.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Devin Anderson
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References