CU-1c-1875-02 Cud

Description

Representing the second documented cud die for the 1875 Indian Head Cent, this variety provides a companion to CU-1c-1875-01 and together they illustrate how multiple dies serving the same date can each fail in their own distinct way. Each die that develops a rim break creates a cud in a unique location, and distinguishing the -01 from the -02 requires comparing the cud's position and shape against published reference images. Collecting multiple cud dies from the same year provides insight into die consumption patterns at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1875 Indian Head Cent was struck in bronze with a mintage of approximately 13.5 million pieces. CU-1c-1875-02 is cataloged in the Cuds on Coins reference system. A cud is the product of a specific failure mode: a section of die steel along the rim fractures under repeated striking stress, separates from the die body, and leaves a cavity that fills with metal on subsequent impressions. The resulting raised featureless blob is permanent evidence of that die's demise. No additional cross-references have been recorded.

External References