CU-1C-1997-01 Cud

Description

First in the documented sequence for the 1997 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial Cent, CU-1C-1997-01 records a major die break at the rim from a year that saw Philadelphia produce approximately 4.62 billion cents. While this figure is lower than the record-setting 1996-P output, it still represents an enormous volume of coinage that consumed thousands of working die pairs throughout the year. Cuds are classified as major die breaks because the affected area extends to the coin's rim, distinguishing them from internal die breaks or die cracks that remain contained within the design field. The broken section of die steel, once separated, creates a permanent void in the die face that cannot be repaired — every coin subsequently struck by that die carries the cud impression until quality control personnel identify and retire the damaged die. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins under the CU-1C-1997-01 designation, this variety opens the 1997-P cud inventory and establishes the baseline for that year's documented die break record. Collectors searching for this variety should examine 1997-P cents for smooth, raised areas along the rim that lack any design detail.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bob Piazza
• CU-1C-1997-01
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References