1987 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - CU-1C-1987-05 Cud

Description

Designated CU-1C-1987-05 by Cuds on Coins, this variety is the fifth cataloged cud from the 1987 Lincoln Memorial cent production. The accumulation of five or more cud varieties from a single date-mint combination is noteworthy but not unusual for high-mintage Lincoln cents, where the sheer number of dies consumed during production increases the statistical probability of capturing catastrophic die failures. The mechanics of cud formation follow a predictable sequence: thermal cycling and mechanical stress initiate fatigue cracks in the die steel, these cracks propagate with each striking cycle, and eventually a section of the die rim separates. If the broken fragment falls clear of the press, subsequent strikes fill the void with unshaped metal; if it remains loosely in place, the result is instead classified as a retained cud. Understanding this progression helps collectors appreciate that cuds are not random events but the culmination of measurable physical processes. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

Cross References

• CU-1C-1987-05

External References