1864 Indian Head Cent - Bronze No L - CU-1c-1864-07R (no L) Rim Cud

Description

Seventh reverse rim cud documented for the 1864 Indian Head Cent Bronze No L variety, this major die break adds to the extensive record of die rim failures on this Civil War-era cent. A rim cud represents the loss of part of the die's rim gutter: on the coin it appears as a raised interruption in the design rim that tracks the rim's course. Seven documented reverse cuds for a single date and subtype is a substantial count that underscores the demanding production conditions at the Philadelphia Mint during 1864. The "(no L)" designation specifies this is the pre-initial version of the 1864 bronze cent — before designer James B. Longacre's L was added to the ribbon behind the Indian's feathered bonnet later that year. The concentration of rim cuds on 1864 Indian Head Cents reflects both the high production demands of wartime coinage and the material and operational challenges that accompanied the mid-year composition change.

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