CU-1c-1864-03R(CN) Cud

Description

Third reverse cud documented on the 1864 Indian Head Cent in the copper-nickel composition, CU-1c-1864-03R(CN) records a major die break at the rim of the reverse die where a piece fractured and separated completely, producing a raised featureless area at the coin's edge. The "(CN)" designation specifically identifies this as the copper-nickel composition variant of the 1864 Indian Head Cent — a critical distinction because 1864 was the transitional year when the U.S. Mint changed the cent's composition from copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel) to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). Both compositions were struck during 1864, making it essential to distinguish copper-nickel cuds from bronze cuds as they represent different die pairs working with planchets of different hardness and metallurgical properties. The harder copper-nickel alloy generated greater stress on the dies during striking, which may have contributed to an increased rate of die rim failures compared to the softer bronze composition. The "R" suffix confirms this cud appeared on the reverse die, affecting the wreath and denomination design of James Barton Longacre's Indian Head Cent. Philadelphia was the sole operating mint facility during the Civil War era, handling all cent production. Three reverse cuds on the copper-nickel 1864 Indian Head Cent indicate that multiple reverse dies developed rim failures during the final production of this composition. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this variety is part of the extensive documentation of die breaks across the Indian Head Cent series spanning 1859 to 1909.

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