CU-1C-1973-03 Rim Cud

Description

The third and final documented cud variety for the 1973 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, CU-1C-1973-03 is listed in the Cuds on Coins catalog as a rim cud on the obverse die. Together with CU-1C-1973-02 (also obverse), it demonstrates that at least two distinct Philadelphia obverse dies developed terminal rim failures during the 1973 production year — while CU-1C-1973-01R documents a separate reverse die failure. Three total cuds (two obverse, one reverse) from the Philadelphia Mint's 1973 cent production is a modest count relative to the date's staggering mintage of approximately 3.73 billion pieces, but the documented varieties represent only those specimens that were preserved, recognized as die errors, and submitted for formal attribution. The actual number of Philadelphia dies that developed rim fractures during 1973 was almost certainly higher, as many cud-bearing coins entered circulation without being noticed or were not submitted to cataloging services. CU-1C-1973-03's specific clock-position and break geometry distinguish it from CU-1C-1973-02 — these diagnostic parameters allow collectors to determine which of the two obverse cuds their specimen represents. The Cuds on Coins attribution system provides a standardized framework for this differentiation, ensuring that collectors and dealers can communicate precisely about which specific die failure they are referencing when discussing 1973 Philadelphia cent cuds. Attribution requires careful examination of the cud's position relative to nearby design elements and comparison against published reference images.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• CU-1C-1973-03
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References