1917 (S) Lincoln Wheat Cent - CU-1C-1917S-02R Cud

Description

Second in the sequential catalog of 1917-S Lincoln Wheat cent cuds, CU-1C-1917S-02R represents a distinct die from the 01R entry — each catalog number corresponds to a unique working die that developed its own rim fracture during service. The Cuds on Coins research team assigns these numbers as varieties are reported and verified, with the numbering format encoding denomination (1C), date, mintmark, sequence, and break type (R for rim). San Francisco's 1917 cent production of 32.6 million pieces required substantial die consumption, and the wartime context intensified both output demands and the difficulty of obtaining timely die replacements from Philadelphia. Branch mints during this era operated with considerable autonomy in deciding when a deteriorating die should be pulled from service, and economic pressure favored running dies longer rather than halting production. Each additional press cycle on a cracked die risked extending the fracture into full rim separation, generating the cud breaks that collectors now catalog. The 02R designation places this variety as the second confirmed cud for the date, distinct in fracture location from its predecessor.

Cross References

• CU-1C-1917S-02R

External References