LDB4-1930-001 BIE Die Break

Description

Cataloged as LDB4-1930-001 with Hardy designation 30P-4DH and no listing in the Cohen catalog, this BIE die break on a 1930 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent belongs to a category of die variety unique to the Lincoln Cent series. A BIE die break occurs when a small crack develops in the die between the letters B and E of LIBERTY, creating a raised vertical line on struck coins that resembles a capital letter I — hence the designation "BIE." The break forms because the close spacing between the B and E concentrates stress in the die steel at that point, and repeated striking eventually propagates a crack that fills with metal during the striking process. The Hardy code 30P-4DH encodes both the date, mint, and the break's specific position and characteristics within Hardy's classification system for Lincoln Cent die breaks. The absence of a Cohen listing (Cohen Not Listed) indicates this variety was either not documented in Cohen's earlier catalog or was discovered after its publication, reflecting the ongoing nature of BIE research. The 1930 Philadelphia cent had a mintage of approximately 157.4 million pieces, providing ample material for die variety researchers to examine.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references:  Cohen Not Listed, Hardy 30P-4DH. 08/02/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References