1960 (D) Jefferson Nickel - CU-5C-1960D-13 Cud

Description

Thirteenth cud documented for the 1960 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel, CU-5C-1960D-13 continues the extensive die break record for this high-production date. With over 192 million nickels struck at Denver in 1960, the quantity of working dies required — each enduring the repeated impact of striking the hard copper-nickel alloy — made rim failures a statistical certainty across the production run. The cud formation process begins with metal fatigue at the die rim, where stress concentrations are highest due to the abrupt design-to-edge transition. A crack initiates, propagates under millions of strikes, and ultimately causes the weakened rim section to separate. The resulting cavity in the die face fills with metal on every subsequent strike, producing the raised featureless blob that is the hallmark of a true cud. Thirteen cuds for a single date and mint combination places 1960-D among the most prolific Jefferson Nickel dates for this particular die failure mode. Felix Schlag's portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Monticello design on the reverse had been in continuous use since 1938, providing consistent design elements across which collectors can catalog and compare die break patterns. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins under designation CU-5C-1960D-13, no additional cross-references have been established for this variety.

Cross References

• CU-5C-1960D-13

External References