CU-1C-1985-23 Cud

Description

Identifying subtle cuds requires specific examination techniques, and CU-1C-1985-23 on the 1985 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent may present as either an obvious or a subtle example depending on its size and the specimen's preservation. For subtle cuds — those with minimal rim extension or shallow field penetration — identification begins with holding the coin at an oblique angle under a single directed light source and slowly rotating it. The cud's raised surface catches light differently than the surrounding rim and field, creating a shadow pattern that reveals the break's outline. Under magnification, the boundary between the cud and the normal coin surface shows a characteristic transition zone where design elements fade into the featureless blob. On heavily circulated specimens, small cuds can be obscured by post-strike rim damage, requiring careful comparison against known examples. Photographic documentation of cuds benefits from consistent lighting angles — side-lighting from approximately 30 degrees above the coin surface emphasizes the topographic relief of the raised cud area. Digital stacking techniques that combine multiple exposures at different focal planes can capture both the cud surface and the surrounding design in sharp focus simultaneously. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm from the 1985 mintage of approximately 5.65 billion cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• CU-1C-1985-23
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References