PC-1c-1868-01R Pre-Cud

Description

The PC-1c-1868-01R records a pre-cud on the reverse of the 1868 Indian Head Cent, cataloged by Cuds on Coins. This date falls within the bronze era of Indian Head Cent production — the composition having changed from copper-nickel to bronze in 1864, resulting in different die wear patterns and failure modes. Pre-cuds on the reverse show the initial stage of rim deterioration on James B. Longacre's oak wreath design, where a crack has propagated from the rim into the design elements but the fractured section remains attached. The bronze alloy, being softer than the earlier copper-nickel composition, typically produced different striking characteristics and die life expectations, which influenced how and where rim breaks developed. The 1868 Indian Head Cent was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era, and die varieties from this period reflect the Mint's ongoing production demands. The 'R' suffix identifies this as a reverse die pre-cud rather than an obverse variety.

Attribution History

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

External References