PC-1c-1863-06R Pre-Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the PC-1c-1863-06R documents a pre-cud on the reverse of the 1863 Indian Head Cent — struck during the height of the Civil War when copper-nickel cents were heavily hoarded and often replaced in commerce by privately issued tokens. Pre-cuds represent the earliest stage of rim die failure, where a crack has developed from the edge into the design area but the broken section has not yet separated from the surrounding die steel. The reverse suffix 'R' in the catalog designation indicates this pre-cud appears on the wreath reverse designed by James B. Longacre, which features an oak wreath with a shield at the top. The 1863 Indian Head Cent was struck in the original copper-nickel alloy composition — a formulation that would change to bronze the following year — and die varieties from this Civil War-era coinage document the production pressures of a mint system operating during national crisis. Examination under magnification reveals the characteristic thin raised line extending inward from the rim.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References