RCD-5c-1883-05R Retained Cud

Description

Fifth reverse retained cud documented on the 1883 Liberty Head Nickel in the No CENTS variety, this die rim fracture records a distinctive failure on one of the most historically notable coin designs in American numismatics. Cross-referenced as VNC-1883NC-5R RET, the attribution places this within the specific catalog of Liberty Head Nickel No CENTS retained cuds. The 1883 No CENTS Liberty Head Nickel — Charles E. Barber's first design for the denomination — was famously issued without the word "CENTS" on the reverse, displaying only the Roman numeral "V" as the denomination indicator. Unscrupulous individuals gold-plated these coins and passed them as five-dollar gold pieces, exploiting the ambiguous denomination marking. The Mint quickly added "CENTS" to the reverse later in 1883, creating two distinct subtypes for the year. A retained cud on the No CENTS reverse preserves a rim fracture where the broken section remained attached to the die, producing a raised distorted area on struck coins. Five documented reverse retained cuds on the No CENTS variety reflects both the collectibility of this subtype and the die stress generated during its relatively brief production window before the design was modified. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, RCD-5c-1883-05R documents die failure on a coin whose production history is among the most colorful in American numismatics, and the No CENTS attribution adds historical context that elevates this variety beyond a routine retained cud listing.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Cross reference number: VNC-1883NC-5R RET.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References