PC-50c-1971D-01 Pre-Cud

Description

First documented pre-cud for the 1971 Denver Mint Kennedy Half Dollar, this variety captures the developing die rim crack that would eventually become a full cud — the precursor stage where the fracture has formed but the broken piece remains attached. A full cud occurs when the fractured rim section separates completely, leaving a cavity that fills with metal during striking to produce a raised featureless mass. The pre-cud preserves the crack before that separation, documenting die failure in its early stage. The 1971-D holds particular significance as the first year of exclusively copper-nickel clad composition for regular business strike halves — the 40% silver composition used from 1965 through 1970 was discontinued, making 1971 the beginning of the clad-only era. Denver struck these halves using 75% copper and 25% nickel layers bonded over a pure copper core. PC-50c-1971D-01 is cataloged by Cuds on Coins. The transition to fully clad composition may have introduced different die stress characteristics as dies interacted with the new planchet metallurgy, though rim fractures occur on all compositions.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• PC-50c-1971D-01; none. 01/01/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References