1971 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - CU-1C-1971D-06 Cud

Description

Sixth in the Cuds on Coins catalog for the 1971-D Lincoln Memorial cent, CU-1C-1971D-06 documents another major die break from Denver's enormous 1971 cent production. Die steel, despite being specially hardened and tempered for coinage service, remains subject to fatigue failure under the repeated impact loading of high-speed production presses. Cracks initiate at stress concentration points — typically along the rim where geometric transitions focus striking forces — and propagate through the die until a fragment separates. The practical significance for collectors is that every coin bearing CU-1C-1971D-06's specific raised mass originated from one particular working die during a narrow window of its service life — the period between the fracture event and the die's eventual retirement from the press. For the 1971-D date, whose high mintage means survivors are readily available in circulated grades, cud varieties provide a collecting structure that transforms a common-date coin into a targeted variety hunt.

Cross References

• CU-1C-1971D-06

External References