CU-50c-1971D-03 Cud

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as CU-50c-1971D-03, this cud error appears on the 1971-D Kennedy half dollar struck at the Denver Mint. A cud is a major die break that occurs at the rim when a portion of the die physically fractures and separates from the die face, leaving a raised, featureless blob of metal on the struck coin where the broken die segment no longer imparts any design. This specimen is noted as a small cud that developed from an advancing die crack, representing an intermediate stage in the die failure progression where a crack at the rim has begun to separate enough die material to create a small raised area without a full major rim break. The 1971-D Kennedy half dollar was struck in copper-nickel clad composition (75% copper, 25% nickel outer layers over a pure copper core), weighing 11.34 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter. Denver produced 302,097,424 half dollars in 1971, a large mintage that reflects the denomination's continued circulation role in the early 1970s. The Kennedy Half Dollars Clad and Silver Proof 1971 to Date series began this year for business strikes, following the end of 40% silver composition after 1970. Cuds on half dollars tend to be more visually dramatic than on smaller denominations due to the larger coin diameter, and the 30.6 mm planchet provides ample space for significant rim breaks to develop. Cud collectors categorize these varieties by size, location, and die state progression, with the advancing die crack origin noted for this specimen adding context to its formation sequence.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jim Karnes
• CU-50c-1971D-03; none.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References