CU-1C-1973D-04R Cud

Description

Assigned the catalog number CU-1C-1973D-04R, this variety is the fourth cud documented for the 1973 Denver Lincoln Memorial cent and the second to occur on the reverse die. The "R" suffix confirms the die break is on the Memorial side of the coin, where a portion of the die rim separated and left an open cavity that allowed planchet metal to extrude during the striking process. This produced the characteristic raised, featureless lump of metal that defines a cud — a complete rim break as opposed to a retained interior die break, which would leave the broken piece trapped in place. Reverse cuds on the Lincoln Memorial cent are of particular interest to specialists because the Memorial design's architectural columns and horizontal entablature create natural stress lines that can influence where rim fractures propagate. The die steel at points where these design elements intersect the rim experiences slightly different stress distributions than areas where the rim meets open field, potentially making certain clock-positions more susceptible to breakage than others. CU-1C-1973D-04R documents a second instance of reverse rim failure on a Denver die from 1973, distinct from CU-1C-1973D-02R in its position and break geometry. Collectors attributing specimens to this specific catalog entry should carefully compare the arc-length, angular position, and shape of their coin's cud against published reference images to ensure a match with this particular die rather than the other documented reverse entry.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Peter Lukic
• CU-1C-1973D-04R
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References