CU-1C-1991-01R Cud

Description

Cataloged as a reverse cud, CU-1C-1991-01R documents a die break along the rim of the 1991 Lincoln Memorial cent reverse where a fragment of the die steel fractured away completely, leaving a void in the die face. When the broken die continued to strike planchets, the area corresponding to the missing fragment received no design impression, producing a raised, featureless blob of metal that extends from the rim inward — the hallmark appearance of a cud error. Reverse cuds on Lincoln Memorial cents are particularly collectible because they can obliterate portions of the Memorial building, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, or the denomination ONE CENT, depending on where the break occurs along the rim. The "R" suffix in the catalog number confirms this break occurred on the reverse die rather than the obverse, distinguishing it from the three obverse-side cuds also documented for the 1991 date. Cuds represent terminal-stage die failure: once a rim fragment separates, the die's structural integrity is compromised, and continued use risks further fragmentation. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, weighing 2.5 grams and measuring 19mm.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Dan Hemperly
• CU-1C-1991-01R
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References