RCD-1c-1863-05 Retained Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the RCD-1c-1863-05 is the fifth documented retained cud on the 1863 Indian Head Cent — struck during the height of the Civil War when copper-nickel cents were heavily hoarded and frequently replaced in commerce by privately issued tokens. Retained cuds represent a more advanced stage of die failure than pre-cuds: the die has fractured at the rim and a section has partially separated, but the broken fragment remains in place during striking, producing coins where the rim area shows a raised crack outline with partially preserved original design detail. The "05" designation indicates multiple dies used for the 1863 date developed rim failures severe enough to produce retained cuds — a frequency that may reflect the production pressures on the Philadelphia Mint during wartime. The 1863 Indian Head Cent was struck in the original copper-nickel alloy composition, which would change to bronze the following year. James B. Longacre's Indian Head design endured one of the most turbulent periods in American history during the early 1860s, and die break varieties from this era document the Mint's production realities during national crisis.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Thomas Walker
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References