RCD-10c-1912D-01R Retained Cud

Description

Sole retained cud documented for the 1912 Denver Barber dime by Cuds on Coins, RCD-10c-1912D-01R records a reverse die rim failure during the penultimate year of Charles Barber's quarter-century tenure as the dime's designer (1892-1916). The "R" suffix designates this as a reverse retained cud, localizing the die fracture to the wreath-and-denomination side of the coin. Denver struck approximately 11.76 million Barber dimes in 1912, a year notable in numismatic history as the final year for the Liberty Head nickel design and the debut of James Earle Fraser's Buffalo nickel — though the Barber dime would continue four more years until Adolph Weinman's Mercury design replaced it in 1916. Retained cuds represent a specific stage in the die failure continuum: the die steel has cracked at the rim and the fractured segment has begun to separate, but it remains connected to the die body. When this partially detached piece strikes a planchet, it produces a raised area that shows both the elevation of the incipient break and traces of the original reverse design — distinguishing it from a full cud where complete separation leaves a smooth, featureless plateau. No additional cross-references from other attribution services exist for this variety. The Denver Mint, which had been striking coins since 1906, was still relatively new to large-scale production in 1912, and its die consumption patterns for Barber dimes contribute to the broader understanding of early Denver Mint operations. Collectors should examine the reverse rim area under moderate magnification, looking for an elevated segment that retains partial design detail — the combination of displacement and residual impression creates the diagnostic signature that defines the retained cud condition.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Charney
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References