2013 (P) Lincoln Shield Cent - RCD-1c-2013-01R Retained Cud

Description

A reverse retained cud on the 2013-P Lincoln Shield cent, RCD-1c-2013-01R documents a die rim fracture on the modern cent design introduced in 2010. The Lincoln Shield cent replaced the four 2009 bicentennial reverse designs with Lyndall Bass's union shield motif, symbolizing President Lincoln's preservation of the United States as one nation during the Civil War. A retained cud on the Shield cent reverse involves a fracture in the die rim that frees a section of steel completely while it is held in place, usually by the collar. Unlike a full cud, where the broken piece detaches and leaves a smooth, design-free raised area on struck coins, the retained fragment stays in place and produces a more nuanced variety — the affected area near the rim may show a subtle plateau, slight displacement, or altered surface quality while keeping its design. The copper-plated zinc composition strikes differently than the older bronze alloy, with the softer zinc core yielding to the die under less pressure, which affects how die failures manifest on the struck coin surface. RCD-1c-2013-01R is cataloged by Cuds on Coins with no known cross-references. Collectors should examine the reverse rim under 5-10x magnification, looking for the characteristic elevation change or plateau that signals a retained die fragment, paying attention to the shield's border elements and the ONE CENT inscription near the rim where die stress concentrations are highest.

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