CU-10c-1944-01 Cud

Description

First documented cud on a 1944 Mercury Dime, cataloged by Cuds on Coins with no cross-reference number currently established to other attribution services. A cud forms when a section of the die rim fractures and the broken piece separates, leaving a cavity that fills with metal during striking to produce a raised featureless mass at the edge of the coin. The 1944 Mercury Dime was struck during World War II — the penultimate year of the Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) design that had been in production since 1916. Adolph Weinman's Mercury Dime is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful designs in American coinage, featuring a Winged Liberty head on the obverse and a fasces bound with an olive branch on the reverse. Wartime production pushed output levels higher than normal across all denominations as the economy operated at full capacity, and the increased die usage created more opportunities for the rim fractures that produce cuds. The 1944 dime was struck in 90% silver composition, giving the host coin intrinsic precious metal value beyond its die variety significance. As the sole documented cud for the 1944 Mercury Dime date, CU-10c-1944-01 establishes the initial catalog record. Mercury Dime cuds are less frequently documented than those on Lincoln Cents, making each confirmed example a notable addition to the die break specialty.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Heritage Auction
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References