CU-1c-1865-05 Cud

Description

Rounding out the 1865 Indian Head Cent cud entries in this batch, CU-05 on the Fancy 5 variety pairs with its Plain 5 counterpart to complete documentation of the fifth rim die break across both date logotypes. The Fancy 5, with its gracefully curved numeral featuring ornate serifs, gives the date a more elaborate appearance and adds visual distinction when examining cuds that might partially obscure the date area. Across CU-01, CU-03, and CU-05 in both Fancy 5 and Plain 5 forms, the 1865 Indian Head Cent reveals significant die failure documentation — a consequence of high production demands during the first year of bronze coinage and the immediate postwar period. The transition from copper-nickel to softer bronze may have required adjustments to striking pressure and die tempering, and any miscalibration could have accelerated rim deterioration. Longacre's Indian Head design, with its continuous pearl border, provides a consistent reference frame for locating and measuring cud extent. These 1865 cuds collectively tell the story of a Mint navigating compositional change while meeting surging demand for small-denomination coinage after four years of war.

External References