RIDB-1c-1955-06 Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as RIDB-1c-1955-06, this 1955 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a cud error — a major die break variety where a piece of the die fractured and separated from the rim area, leaving a raised, featureless blob of metal at the edge of the coin where the broken die fragment no longer imparted design detail. Cuds are among the most visually dramatic die break varieties because the missing die segment creates an unmistakable blank area that interrupts the normal design, rim, and denticle pattern. An additional diagnostic note identifies an obverse die crack indicated by a "white arrow" notation — a progressive die failure that likely preceded or accompanied the terminal rim break that produced the cud. The 1955 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which handled proof production from 1936 through 1964. Proof cuds are considerably scarcer than circulation strike examples because proof production runs involve far fewer pieces — the 1955 proof set mintage was 378,200 — and die condition was monitored more carefully, though even proof dies could develop catastrophic breaks. No cross-references to other attribution systems have been established. Struck in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc at 3.11 grams on 19mm planchets, proof Lincoln Wheat Cent cuds represent a convergence of the popular BIE/die break collecting specialty with the always-desirable proof format.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Nolan Workman
• Cross reference: none. 06/29/2019.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References