SD-1c-1973D-01 Split Die

Description

Designated SD-1c-1973D-01 by the Cuds on Coins attribution team, this is the sole documented split die variety for the 1973 Denver Mint Lincoln Memorial cent. No cross-references to other attribution services have been established. A split die represents an advanced stage of die deterioration beyond a simple die crack: rather than a single linear fracture, the die develops a major structural failure that effectively splits it into two or more segments while the segments remain partially held together by the die holder or their own mechanical interlock. The resulting coins display a broad, raised ridge of metal — often much wider and more irregular than a typical die crack — marking the boundary where the die segments separated. In severe cases, one segment may shift slightly relative to the other, producing a visible step or offset in the design across the split line. Split dies are considerably less common than simple die cracks or even cuds, because they represent a catastrophic failure mode that typically results in immediate die retirement once detected. However, during high-volume production periods — such as Denver's 1973 campaign that produced approximately 3.55 billion cents — dies under extreme stress could progress from initial cracking to full structural splitting over the course of many thousands of impressions before the damage was caught by press operators. SD-1c-1973D-01 documents this dramatic failure mode on at least one Denver obverse die from the 1973 production year, providing collectors with a cataloged reference point for this distinctive and visually dramatic variety.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Fred Weinberg
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References