RCD-2c-1867-03R Retained Cud

Description

Third retained cud variety documented for the 1867 Two Cent Piece by Cuds on Coins, RCD-2c-1867-03R captures a reverse die rim failure during the denomination's declining production years. The "R" suffix identifies this as a reverse retained cud on James B. Longacre's design. Philadelphia produced approximately 2.94 million Two Cent Pieces in 1867, a dramatic reduction from earlier years that reflected the denomination's diminishing role in commerce as the post-Civil War coin shortage eased and the public lost enthusiasm for the somewhat awkward two-cent denomination. Despite the lower mintage, the existence of at least three documented retained cud dies for 1867 — this being the third — suggests that die quality or maintenance during this period of declining production may not have received the same attention as during the denomination's peak years. The retained cud condition represents a die rim fracture where the broken segment remains partially connected to the die body, producing a raised area on struck coins that retains some original design impression while showing the displacement characteristic of an emerging die break. No cross-references from other attribution services exist for this variety. The Two Cent Piece's reverse design — featuring "2 CENTS" within a wreath — places detailed design elements close to the rim, and the wreath's fine leaf detail near the die periphery creates stress concentrations that can initiate rim cracking. Longacre's IN GOD WE TRUST motto on the obverse banner made the Two Cent Piece a historically significant denomination despite its brief ten-year production span. Collectors should inspect the reverse rim under 5-10x magnification for an elevated area that displays both displacement from the normal rim plane and faint traces of the wreath design, confirming the retained rather than fully separated cud condition.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References