RIDB-1c-1952S-03 Retained Interior Die Break

Description

Third documented retained interior die break on the 1952 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety records a die fracture that occurred within the interior design area rather than at the rim. Interior die breaks are mechanistically distinct from rim-based cuds and retained cuds: rather than the die rim fracturing under the outward pressure of striking, an interior break involves a section of the die face itself cracking and potentially separating within the body of the design. When the broken interior section remains in place — as in a retained interior die break — struck coins display a raised, distorted area surrounded by normal design detail, creating a distinctive appearance that differs from both rim cuds and standard die cracks. The "retained" designation confirms the broken die fragment stayed attached, preventing the cavity that would produce a full interior die break. The 1952-S Wheat Cent was produced at the San Francisco Mint during one of its final years of cent production — San Francisco would cease striking cents for circulation in 1955, not resuming until decades later. Cross-referenced simply as "none," this variety was cataloged by Cuds on Coins without additional attribution in other reference systems. Three retained interior die breaks from a single date and mint suggests this die experienced progressive internal stress failure, though each could represent a separate die pair. Collectors examining 1952-S Wheat Cents for this variety should look for raised distorted areas within the interior design field rather than at the rim, as the break location distinguishes it from the more common rim-based cuds.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References