1988 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent - CU-1C-1988D-01 Cud

Description

Opening the cud catalog for the 1988-D Lincoln Memorial cent, CU-1C-1988D-01 documents a retained die break where a section of the die face fractured and separated, leaving a void that filled with planchet metal during striking to produce a raised, featureless mass on the coin's surface. Cuds form through metal fatigue — the cumulative effect of hundreds of thousands of high-pressure striking cycles that propagate microscopic cracks in the die steel until a section breaks free. The fracture typically initiates at or near the die's rim, where the thin edge of the die face meets the collar assembly, creating a stress concentration point. On Lincoln cents of this era, struck on copper-plated zinc planchets at the Denver Mint, the cud appears as a blob of raised metal that disrupts whatever design elements occupied that portion of the die face. The CU-01 designation as the first cataloged variety for 1988-D indicates this was likely among the most visually prominent or earliest-discovered cuds for the date, though catalog sequence reflects order of documentation rather than order of production. Struck on planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm, from Denver's 1988 cent production.

Cross References

• CU-1C-1988D-01

External References