CU-25c-1983P-06 Rim Cud

Description

Sixth in the Cuds on Coins sequence for the 1983-P Washington Quarter, CU-25c-1983P-06 represents a Stage A rim cud — the initial or only documented die state for this particular break, indicating either that the die was removed from service promptly after the cud developed or that specimens from later die states (showing progressive enlargement of the break) have not been identified and reported. Rim cuds form when a section of die steel at the coin's edge fractures completely, creating a gap in the die that allows planchet metal to flow into the void during striking and produce a raised, shapeless mass where the rim and adjacent design area should be. The "Stage A" notation is significant for collectors who track die state progressions, since some cuds grow dramatically during continued use — an initial small chip at the rim can propagate into a massive break encompassing a quarter or more of the die face if the die is not pulled, and specimens from each progressive stage carry different premiums in the error coin market. The 1983-P Washington Quarter was produced during a period when the Philadelphia Mint was operating at high capacity in the copper-nickel clad composition (no silver content, standard 5.67 grams), and the vigorous production pace contributed to die fatigue that made rim breaks a recurring phenomenon across multiple denominations. Six cataloged rim cuds for a single date and mint represents moderate activity in the Cuds on Coins census — some high-mintage dates accumulate dozens of documented cuds while scarcer issues may have none. No cross-references to other attribution systems are established for this variety, with Cuds on Coins serving as the sole catalog authority for its documentation and numbering.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References