PC-1c-1972D-04R Pre-Cud

Description

Fourth in the reverse pre-cud sequence for the 1972-D Lincoln Memorial cent, PC-1c-1972D-04R was documented by the Cuds on Coins attribution team as a reverse die showing advanced stress fracturing at the rim without complete fragment detachment. The distinction between this variety and its obverse counterpart PC-1c-1972D-04 is critical: despite sharing the same sequence number, the "R" suffix places this pre-cud on the reverse die — a completely different die with its own independent failure history affecting the Lincoln Memorial design and surrounding reverse inscriptions. No external cross-references have been established for this variety. Pre-cuds on the reverse of Lincoln Memorial cents can affect any portion of the rim surrounding the Memorial building, the denomination ONE CENT, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, or the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The advanced cracking visible on coins struck from this die would have appeared as a prominent raised line extending from the rim inward, potentially with minor displacement or spreading along the crack margins where the fragment had begun shifting. Identifying pre-cuds requires careful examination under magnification, as the line between a severe die crack and a true pre-cud depends on the depth and completeness of the fracture — a pre-cud implies the crack has penetrated deep enough that separation is imminent, distinguishing it from ordinary die cracks that may remain stable indefinitely. For the 1972-D cent, whose dies endured enormous production demands, the boundary between late-stage cracking and incipient cud formation was crossed frequently, generating multiple pre-cud varieties across both obverse and reverse dies.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Oney
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References