CU-1C-1943S-01 Cud

Description

Cataloged as CU-1C-1943S-01 Stage A by Cuds on Coins, this cud error appears on the 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent struck at the San Francisco Mint. The 1943 cent is one of the most recognizable issues in American numismatics, as it was struck on zinc-coated steel planchets rather than the traditional bronze composition due to wartime copper conservation. These steel cents weigh 2.70 grams with a 19 mm diameter. A cud error is a major die break that occurs at the rim when a portion of the die physically fractures and separates, leaving a raised, featureless blob of metal on the struck coin where the broken die segment no longer imparts a design. Cuds represent some of the most dramatic die failure varieties, and they are categorized by their location on the coin, size, and die state progression. The 1943-S steel cent had a mintage of 191,550,000 pieces, providing a large population from which cud varieties could emerge. The zinc-coated steel composition presented unique challenges in die longevity, as the harder planchet material accelerated die wear and fracturing compared to the softer copper alloy. This variety is part of the Lincoln Wheat Cents 1909-1958 series, featuring Victor David Brenner's portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the familiar wheat ears reverse design.

Attribution History

• Discovered by George Winters
• CU-1C-1943S-01
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References