1869 Shield Nickel - PC-5c-1869-06 Pre-Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins under the designation PC-5c-1869-06 — where PC identifies the error type as a pre-cud, 5c the denomination, 1869 the date, and 06 the specimen number — this Shield Nickel carries an early-stage die crack that has not yet progressed to a full cud break. Pre-cuds represent an intermediate stage in die deterioration: the die steel has cracked but the fragment remains in place, producing a raised line on struck coins rather than the filled blank area characteristic of a complete cud where the fragment has broken away. As the crack progresses through continued use, it may eventually develop into a full cud. The Shield Nickel series (1866-1883) was designed by James B. Longacre, featuring a prominent shield on the obverse, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams. The 1869 issue falls in the early-middle period of Shield Nickel production, three years after introduction. This Philadelphia Mint regular strike documents one stage of die crack evolution on a classic post-Civil War denomination.

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