CU-1C-2001-03 Cud

Description

Three cataloged rim cuds for the 2001 Philadelphia cent reflect a healthy pattern of die attrition across a large production year. CU-1C-2001-03, the third confirmed entry, adds another fracture profile to the date's die-break record. Die failure at the rim follows a predictable metallurgical sequence: striking pressure generates microscopic deformation in the die steel, repeated cycling propagates subsurface cracks, and eventually a crack reaches the die edge and branches inward to isolate a section. The enclosed fragment may remain in place for a time — producing retained cuds — before separating entirely to create a full cud. Whether CU-1C-2001-03 exhibits a clean break or a partially retained fragment depends on the stage at which the die was pulled from service. The Lincoln Memorial cent design, with its relatively low relief, placed less stress on dies than high-relief designs, but the sheer volume of Philadelphia's 2001 production — approaching five billion pieces — ensured that even well-made dies reached their fatigue limits. Collectors differentiating this variety from the -01 and -02 entries should compare the break position against CudsOnCoins reference photographs.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Sabine Shloyda
• CU-1C-2001-03
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References