CU-1c-1909-02R Cud

Description

Cross-referenced as JCc-09_47 and LC-09-7R with a documentation date of September 1, 2013, this cud error on the 1909 Lincoln Wheat cent represents a significant die break from the inaugural year of Victor David Brenner's iconic design. A cud forms when a section of the die fractures completely and breaks away from the die face, leaving a void that fills with metal during striking and creates a raised, featureless blob along the coin's rim. The "R" suffix in the catalog number indicates this break occurred on the reverse die, affecting the wheat ear design that would remain the cent's reverse motif for nearly fifty years. The 1909 Lincoln cent holds a special place in American numismatics as the first circulating U.S. coin to bear a portrait of an actual historical figure — a break from the allegorical designs that had dominated coinage since the Republic's founding. Philadelphia struck approximately 72.7 million wheat cents in 1909 (excluding the scarce VDB sub-variety), but die break errors from this first-year issue are uncommon enough to attract interest from both error collectors and Lincoln cent specialists. The dual cross-reference numbers — JCc (Jim Campa's cent cuds) and LC (Lincoln cent catalog) — reflect the variety's recognition across multiple die break documentation projects, confirming independent verification of the break location and characteristics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Cross reference number: JCc-09_47, LC-09-7R. 09/01/2013.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References