1914 (D) Lincoln Wheat Cent Cud (Reverse, Two Locations)

Description

This 1914-D Lincoln Wheat cent exhibits two rim cuds on the reverse, one positioned over the second U in UNUM and another just north of the 3 o'clock position. Cuds are major die breaks occurring at the rim where a section of the die physically separates, leaving a raised, featureless blob of metal on the struck coin. The presence of two cuds at different positions around the rim indicates progressive die deterioration, with separate sections of the die rim breaking away independently. The 1914-D Lincoln cent is one of the most significant key dates in the entire Lincoln cent series, with Denver producing only 1,193,000 pieces that year, making it the lowest regular-issue Denver Mint Lincoln cent mintage. The coin was struck in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19 mm diameter. Error and variety coins on the 1914-D are particularly scarce given the low original mintage, and cud errors on this date represent a significant discovery for error collectors. Victor David Brenner's wheat ears reverse design provides the backdrop for these die breaks, with the cud over the second U in UNUM obliterating a portion of the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM while the second cud near 3 o'clock affects the rim area adjacent to the right wheat ear. Multiple cuds on a single die suggest the die was allowed to continue in service despite significant structural failure, possibly because the low production volumes at Denver in 1914 created pressure to maximize die life. The combination of key date status, dual cud errors, and the historical significance of the 1914-D date makes this a remarkable variety that bridges the worlds of key date collecting and error coin collecting in a single piece.