RCD-5C-1866-07 Retained Rim Cud

Description

Documented by the Cuds on Coins attribution service, RCD-5C-1866-07 records the seventh retained rim cud identified on the 1866 Shield Nickel with Rays — an impressive census depth for a die break variety on this inaugural nickel denomination issue. The designation follows the standard format: RCD for retained cud, 5C for the five-cent denomination, 1866 for the date, and 07 indicating the seventh retained cud cataloged. James B. Longacre designed the Shield nickel with an obverse displaying a prominent Union shield surmounted by a cross and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, while the 1866-1867 "With Rays" sub-type features a reverse with a large numeral 5 surrounded by stars with rays radiating between them. Retained cuds represent an advanced stage of die deterioration beyond pre-cuds: the die steel near the rim has cracked and a fragment has begun to separate, but the broken piece remains held in place by the collar or adjacent die structure, creating a raised, often irregularly shaped area of displaced metal on struck coins that bridges the gap between the intact die surface and the partially detached fragment. Philadelphia produced approximately 14.74 million Shield nickels with rays in 1866, the first year of production in the 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy that was significantly harder than previously used coinage metals. The elevated stress this hard alloy imposed on working dies during striking directly contributed to accelerated die cracking and fragmentation, and seven documented retained cuds for the 1866 date provides quantitative evidence of die longevity challenges during the denomination's debut year. The "Rays" reverse design compounded the problem, as the opposing high-relief elements on both sides demanded exceptionally high striking pressures.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Eric Patino
• RCD-5C-1866-07
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References