RIDB-1c-1952-01 Cud

Description

Sole documented cud for the 1952 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent to date, RIDB-1c-1952-01 records a major die break at the rim where a piece of the die fractured away, creating a cavity that filled with striking metal to produce a raised, featureless mass at the coin's periphery. The 1952 Proof cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint during a period of relatively modest proof production — only 81,980 proof sets were manufactured that year, a fraction of the quantities that would be produced later in the decade. This lower production volume means fewer die pairs were employed and each pair struck a smaller number of coins, reducing the statistical likelihood of die rim failures and making cuds from 1952 proof cents significantly scarcer than those from higher-production dates. The proof cent's 90% copper, 5% tin, 5% zinc composition (standard bronze alloy) was gentler on dies than the steel planchets used during wartime, so rim fractures on these proofs likely resulted from die steel imperfections, thermal cycling, or accumulated fatigue rather than abrasive planchet material. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the singular -01 designation may reflect the genuine rarity of cuds on this low-production proof date rather than incomplete cataloging. Proof Wheat Cents from 1952 are collected primarily for their cameo and deep cameo contrast potential, and the discovery of a cud on this date adds an unexpected die variety dimension to a year more commonly associated with surface quality grading distinctions.

Attribution History

• Discovered by G
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References