RCD-5C-1882-03 Retained Cud

Description

Third retained cud variety documented for the 1882 Shield nickel by Cuds on Coins, RCD-5C-1882-03 captures an advanced-stage die rim failure on James B. Longacre's Shield nickel design during the later years of the type's production run (1866-1883). A retained cud occurs when a section of the die rim cracks and begins to separate from the die body but remains physically attached, creating a raised, partially detached area on struck coins that shows both the beginning of metal displacement and the retention of some original die structure. Philadelphia produced approximately 11.48 million Shield nickels in 1882, the penultimate year of the series before production shifted to Charles Barber's Liberty Head design in 1883. The cross-reference notation "number: none" indicates no other attribution services had independently cataloged this particular retained cud at the time of listing. Shield nickels, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, demanded high striking pressures due to the hard alloy composition, and the intricate reverse design featuring a large numeral 5 surrounded by stars and rays (in the "With Rays" subtype) or stars alone (in the "Without Rays" subtype used from 1867 onward) generated significant stress on the die rims. The "03" suffix establishes that at least three distinct retained cud dies have been identified for the 1882 date, documenting multiple independent instances of die rim deterioration across the production run. Collectors should distinguish retained cuds from full cuds: a retained cud shows the cracked section still partially in place, producing a raised but textured area that retains traces of the original design detail, whereas a full cud is completely separated, leaving a smooth featureless plateau. Examination under 5-10x magnification typically suffices to identify the retained cud's characteristic blend of displacement and residual detail.

Attribution History

• Discovered by theconsignmenthub on ebay
• RCD-5C-1882-03; number: none.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References