CU-5c-1974D-03 Cud

Description

Documented by Cuds on Coins as CU-5c-1974D-03 and cross-referenced as JNC-74D-3 and JNC-74D-4 in the Jefferson Nickel Cuds catalog, this cud error on the 1974 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel represents a major die break at the rim. Cuds occur when a section of the die steel fractures and breaks away from the die edge, creating a void in the die face — when a planchet is struck by this damaged die, the metal flows into the void and produces a raised, featureless blob at the rim that interrupts the normal design and rim contour. The dual JNC cross-reference numbers (74D-3 and 74D-4) suggest this cud has been documented under two slightly different designations within the Jefferson Nickel Cuds reference system, possibly reflecting different die states or observational aspects of the same break. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag, who won the 1938 design competition with his left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and front view of Monticello on the reverse. The 1974-D was struck at the Denver Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel composition, weighing 5.0 grams at 21.2 mm diameter with a plain edge. The Denver Mint's 1974 nickel production was substantial, providing numerous die pairs that each had the potential to develop die breaks through fatigue during extended production runs. Cuds are among the most visually dramatic mint errors because the featureless raised area creates an unmistakable disruption to the coin's design that is visible without magnification. Collectors of cud errors typically catalog them by denomination, date, mintmark, and clock position of the break, with larger cuds and those affecting major design elements generally commanding higher premiums. The specific location of this cud on the coin's rim — identifiable from the JNC catalog descriptions — determines which design elements are affected and contributes to the variety's collectibility.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Cross reference number: JNC-74D-3. Cross reference number: JNC-74D-4
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References