Die cracks and cuds are among the most common mint errors. They occur when a coin die develops cracks from stress and fatigue. Small cracks create raised lines on coins, while major breaks at the rim produce blobs of extra metal called cuds.
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Scan My CoinA fine raised line on the coin surface caused by a crack in the die. The crack fills with metal during striking.
How to check: Look for thin raised lines running across the design. They may be straight or curved and can cross multiple design elements.
$2 - $25A major die break at the rim where a piece of the die has broken away but remains in place, creating a raised blob at the rim.
How to check: Feel along the rim for any raised irregular bumps. Cuds appear as featureless raised metal at the rim edge.
$25 - $200+A piece of the die has completely broken away, leaving a large featureless area on the coin.
How to check: A section of the coin will show no design details, replaced by a flat or slightly raised blank area.
$50 - $500+A die break that occurs within the design field rather than at the rim.
How to check: Look for irregular raised areas within the design that lack the normal detail.
$10 - $100A die crack is a thin raised line caused by a crack in the die. A cud is a larger break, typically at the rim, where a piece of the die has broken away, leaving a raised featureless blob.
Minor die cracks add $2-$5 in value. Major die cracks and cuds can be worth $25-$500+ depending on size and location. Cuds on key date coins command the highest premiums.
Die cracks are raised above the coin surface. Scratches are incuse (dug into the surface). Run your fingernail across the line — if it catches going UP, it is likely a die crack. Upload to ErrorHunt for AI confirmation.
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