RCD-1c-1930-02R Retained Cud

Description

When a fragment of die steel breaks away but remains lodged in its original position rather than falling out, the result is a retained cud — and RCD-1c-1930-02R documents this phenomenon on the reverse of a 1930 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent. The broken piece, held in place by friction or adjacent die metal, continues to participate in the striking process but produces a raised, often slightly misaligned area on the coin where the retained fragment sits. Cross-references LC-30-1R-RET and LC-30-2R-RET indicate two separate retained cud attributions for the reverse, suggesting multiple fragment breaks with both pieces remaining in place — a dual retained cud reflecting advanced die deterioration across more than one zone. The "R" suffix in the catalog number confirms reverse placement. Philadelphia struck 157.415 million Lincoln Cents in 1930, a Depression-era mintage lower than the peak production years of the mid-1920s. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this dual retained cud variety illustrates an uncommon failure mode where the die was severely compromised yet continued striking, its broken fragments trapped but not displaced.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charity & Chris Welch
• Cross reference number: LC-30-1R-RET. Cross reference number: LC-30-2R-RET.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References