It is not a cud, and simply because it has no association with the rim. However, it does appear to be a break, and could technically be considered an "error", yes. Nothing spectacular or valuable, but surely a neat find. Congrats.
Absolutely the worst design in the history of the US mint, bar none. It's like a child's kindergarten fingerpainting.
I think it is a great example of what the mounds actually look like. That said it's still ugly as Dookie. Giant animal shape piles of Dookie. LOL