RCD-1c-1955-05 Retained Cud

Description

The fifth retained cud documented for the 1955 Lincoln Wheat Cent, RCD-1c-1955-05 represents one of multiple die rim failures cataloged from this celebrated year. While 1955 is best known in numismatic circles for the legendary 1955 Doubled Die Obverse — arguably the most famous die variety in all of American coinage — the date produced a range of other die varieties including this retained cud. A retained cud forms when a die crack propagates from the rim inward, partially isolating a fragment that stays seated in the die, transferring a raised irregular mass onto every coin struck until the die is replaced. Five retained cuds from 1955 indicates meaningful die attrition across the production run, with each sequence number representing a distinct working die that developed its own independent rim fracture. The 1955 Philadelphia Mint cent was struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at 3.11 grams on Victor David Brenner's obverse with the wheat ears reverse, just three years before the design transition. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as RCD (retained cud), 1c (cent), 1955 (year), 05 (fifth documented). Examine the rim for the characteristic raised mass, distinguishing this from the 1955-15 variety by its specific rim location and fracture contour.

External References