CU-1c-1803-10 Cud

Description

Sharing the 1803 Draped Bust Large Cent with the 100/000 fraction as its parent but originating from a different die, CU-1c-1803-10 represents the tenth documented cud variety on this date. The sequential numbering confirms that at least ten distinct dies used to strike 1803 Large Cents developed rim fractures severe enough to produce identifiable cuds, testimony to the demanding conditions under which early United States Mint dies operated. The 100/000 fraction variety arose from an over-punching error in the denominator, where "1000" was corrected as "000," leaving traces of the original digits visible beneath the final impression. Each cud on an early copper issue represents a unique event — the specific die, the fracture location, and the stage of die deterioration all contribute to individual variety characteristics. Robert Scot's Draped Bust design served the large cent from 1796 through 1807, and the 1803 issue with its fraction anomaly stands among the more actively collected dates. Die breaks on hand-made dies of this period were inevitable given the soft steel and tremendous pressures involved in striking large copper planchets. Attributed by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Adrian Bostrom
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References