PC-1c-1873-01R Pre-Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the PC-1c-1873-01R documents a reverse pre-cud on the 1873 Indian Head Cent with the Closed 3 date variant — a date logotype style where the knobs of the numeral 3 are positioned close together rather than with an open gap. The 1873 Closed 3 is itself a recognized variety, making this pre-cud a variety-within-a-variety for collectors who track both date style and die failure characteristics. Pre-cuds represent the earliest detectable stage of rim die failure, where a crack has extended from the die's edge into the design area but the fractured section has not yet separated from the surrounding die steel. The reverse suffix "R" in the catalog designation identifies this as a reverse die pre-cud, appearing on James B. Longacre's wreath design rather than on the obverse Indian Head portrait. The 1873 Indian Head Cent was struck during the early Reconstruction era, and the Closed 3 variety — distinguished from the Open 3 found on other 1873 dies — provides precise die family identification. Pre-cuds on Indian Head Cents document the progressive nature of die failure, as many eventually develop into full cuds with continued die use.

Attribution History

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

External References