RCD-5c-1869-03 Retained Cud

Description

Third retained cud cataloged for the 1869 Shield nickel by Cuds on Coins, RCD-5c-1869-03 documents yet another instance of die rim failure during the early production years of America's first nickel-alloy coinage. That three distinct retained cud dies have been identified for the 1869 date alone speaks to the persistent metallurgical challenge posed by the 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy, which demanded striking pressures significantly beyond what the Mint's die steels were originally designed to withstand. Philadelphia produced approximately 16.39 million Shield nickels in 1869, a substantial but declining mintage from the denomination's 1866-1867 peak production years. James B. Longacre's design — featuring a large shield on the obverse and a numeral 5 within a circle of stars on the Without Rays reverse introduced in 1867 — placed detailed design elements near the rim on both sides, concentrating stress at the die periphery where retained cuds develop. The "03" suffix establishes a census of at least three independent retained cud dies for this date, each representing a unique working die that experienced rim fracturing during its production life. No cross-references from other attribution services exist for this variety. A retained cud differs from a full cud in degree of separation: the cracked die segment remains partially attached, creating a raised area on the struck coin that preserves some original design detail rather than the completely featureless plateau of a fully separated cud. Collectors examining 1869 Shield nickels should inspect both obverse and reverse rims under 5-10x magnification for areas that appear elevated relative to the surrounding rim but retain traces of the original design engraving, which confirms the die fragment's partial retention rather than complete separation.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References