CU-5c-1970D-08 Cud

Description

Following closely behind CU-5c-1970D-07 in the Cuds on Coins catalog, this eighth documented cud for the 1970 Denver Jefferson Nickel represents yet another unique die that suffered a catastrophic rim failure during production. While both varieties share the same date and mint, each cud originates from a different die — the specific location, size, and shape of the raised featureless mass will differ between specimens, making each catalog entry a distinct collectible. The sheer number of cuds from 1970-D provides insight into die management at the Denver facility, where production pressure could extend die usage beyond optimal service life. Rim fractures develop when repeated striking generates stress at the die's thinnest point, and once a crack initiates it propagates rapidly under continued use. The 1970 Denver Mint produced nickels at rates requiring frequent die changes, and dies that developed rim cracks before being retired entered the catalog of cud-producing dies. This variety belongs to the Jefferson Nickels Original Design 1938-2003 series, during an era when the nickel's copper-nickel alloy had been unchanged since 1866.

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Snider
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References