CU-1C-1803-10 Cud

Description

Tenth documented cud for the 1803 Draped Bust Large Cent, CU-1C-1803-10 extends the die break census to double digits — an unusually high count underscoring the demanding conditions under which Philadelphia Mint dies operated during the Jefferson administration. The early Mint relied on imported copper from commercial suppliers, and variable purity affected both planchet quality and die longevity, as harder impurities could accelerate die wear and rim fractures. Each of the ten cataloged 1803 cuds represents a unique die and break position, collectively forming a mosaic of failure patterns across that year’s production. The Draped Bust design, introduced by Robert Scot in 1796, was in its final years by 1803 — John Reich’s Classic Head would replace it in 1808 — and late-series die varieties carry a transitional quality appealing to type collectors and die study specialists alike. This tenth cud contributes to one of the most thoroughly documented die break populations in the early Large Cent series, providing material for researchers studying die steel composition, die life expectancy, and production practices at the early Philadelphia Mint.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Adrian Bostrom
• CU-1C-1803-10
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References