RCD-1C-1837-5 Retained Cud

Description

Fifth documented retained cud on the 1837 Modified Matron Head Coronet Head Cent in the Plain Cords, Medium Letters variety, RCD-1C-1837-5 records a die rim fracture where the broken fragment remained in place rather than separating completely. Retained cuds differ from full cuds in that the fractured rim section stays held by surrounding die metal, producing a partially displaced area with visible fracture lines rather than the completely featureless raised mass of a separated cud. The 1837 cent belongs to the Modified Matron Head subtype produced from 1835 to 1839, part of the broader Coronet Head large cent series that Christian Gobrecht modified during this period. The "Plain Cords, Medium Letters" designation refers to specific design elements — the treatment of the hair cords on Liberty's portrait and the size of the reverse lettering — that distinguish different die varieties within the year. Large cents of the 1830s were substantial copper coins, approximately 28.5mm in diameter and 10.89 grams, struck at the Philadelphia Mint as the nation's only operating mint facility at the time. Five retained cuds from a single date indicates extensive die variety documentation for this early American coin. Cross-referenced under its own catalog number RCD-1C-1837-5, this variety was documented by Cuds on Coins. The Jacksonian era coins of the late 1830s occupy a transitional period in American numismatics, predating the establishment of branch mints at New Orleans, Charlotte, and Dahlonega in 1838.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Anna Antunez
• RCD-1C-1837-5
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References