CU-1C-1977-16 Cud

Description

Closing out the 1977 Philadelphia cud census at its sixteenth catalog position, CU-1C-1977-16 records the final documented rim break for this high-volume production year. Although catalog numbering reaches sixteen, the known census of distinct varieties stands at fifteen entries (with some catalog numbers potentially reserved, retracted, or documented in separate batches). Cuds on Coins cataloged this variety as part of its comprehensive rim break inventory for the Lincoln Memorial cent series. A cud results from the terminal failure of a coinage die — the catastrophic separation of a rim segment that transforms the die from a precision tool into a damaged implement capable only of producing error coins. Each coin struck after the fracture event carries an unmistakable raised mass of metal at the break site, and the coins continue to accumulate until a press operator detects the defect and pulls the die from service. Philadelphia's 1977 production campaign demanded an extraordinary number of die pairs to sustain an output of approximately 4.47 billion cents, and the extensive cud catalog for this date provides a tangible record of the mechanical attrition that accompanied that massive effort. CU-1C-1977-16 is identified by its unique break geometry and angular position on the die rim. Like all 1977 Philadelphia cents, it was struck without a mint mark from 95% copper planchets. Attribution by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Marvin L
• CU-1C-1977-16
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References