PC-5C-1883-19R Pre-Cud

Description

Nineteenth in the reverse pre-cud census for the 1883 Liberty Head Nickel — No CENTS variety, PC-5C-1883-19R documents an incipient rim fracture on one of the most historically famous coins in American numismatics. The designation follows the Cuds on Coins naming convention: PC for pre-cud, 5C for the five-cent denomination, 1883 for the date, and 19R indicating the nineteenth reverse pre-cud cataloged. The 1883 Liberty Head Nickel "No CENTS" type occupies a legendary position in numismatic lore — Charles Barber's new nickel design omitted the word CENTS from the reverse, and enterprising individuals gold-plated the coins (which were similar in size to the five-dollar gold piece) and attempted to pass them as five-dollar coins, prompting the Mint to add CENTS to the reverse later in 1883. Philadelphia struck approximately 5.48 million No CENTS nickels before the design was modified, creating a distinct type that has been avidly collected since its first year of issue. Nineteen documented reverse pre-cuds for this single type represents extraordinary census depth, reflecting both the coin's popularity with researchers and the die performance characteristics of the 75% copper, 25% nickel alloy that stressed working dies during striking. Pre-cuds capture the initial stage of die failure where rim-area cracking has begun but the die steel remains structurally connected, producing a raised but still-attached area on struck coins that precedes the full metal separation of a retained cud. The No CENTS reverse, designed by Barber, features a large Roman numeral V within a wreath, and the rim zone where pre-cuds develop runs along the wreath tips and peripheral lettering — areas of maximum die stress where the die edge meets the collar during each striking cycle.

Attribution History

• PC-5C-1883-19R
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References