CU-1C-1971S-03 Cud

Description

Third cud cataloged for the 1971-S Lincoln Memorial cent, CU-1C-1971S-03 documents a rim die break on a business strike die at a position distinct from both CU-01 and the uncataloged CU-02, expanding the record of die failures at San Francisco during the 1971 cent production. The skip from CU-01 to CU-03 in this batch reflects the cataloging sequence maintained by Cuds on Coins rather than a numbering gap — CU-02 exists in the catalog but is addressed elsewhere. Each cud in the sequence originates from a different working die that fractured at the rim during service, and the location of each break along the coin's circumference determines which design elements are partially or fully replaced by the characteristic featureless raised area. Cuds at different clock positions on the obverse affect different portions of the peripheral inscriptions — LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or the date — while reverse cuds may obliterate portions of E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, or ONE CENT. The denomination coding 1C in the catalog designation confirms this as a one-cent piece, and the S mintmark associates it with San Francisco's business strike production rather than proof coinage. Die rim fractures on business strike dies tend to develop more frequently than on proof dies because business strike dies endure longer production runs at higher speeds, accumulating more fatigue cycles before replacement. CU-1C-1971S-03's documentation by Cuds on Coins adds another data point to the census of 1971-S die failures, contributing to the broader understanding of die longevity and failure patterns at the San Francisco Mint during this production year.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck9999 on ebay
• CU-1C-1971S-03
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References