RCD-5c-1883-01R Retained Cud

Description

Documenting the first cataloged retained cud on the reverse of the 1883 "No CENTS" Liberty Head Nickel, RCD-5c-1883-01R captures a die failure on one of the most historically significant subtypes in American numismatics. The 1883 "No CENTS" variety gained immediate notoriety when the new nickel—lacking any denomination other than the Roman numeral V—was gold-plated and passed as a five-dollar gold piece by opportunists, prompting the Mint to quickly add "CENTS" to the reverse. Charles Barber's Liberty Head design debuted on this 1883 issue and would continue through 1912. A retained cud forms when a rim-area die fragment fractures completely but remains trapped in the die cavity, producing a raised or weakly detailed zone on subsequently struck coins. The "R" suffix confirms the break is on the reverse die. Philadelphia Mint production. Die failures on the No CENTS subtype carry collector appeal that extends beyond their technical classification because of the coin's celebrated role in American numismatic folklore. Cataloged and verified by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

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

External References