LDB4-1943-001 BIE Die Break

Description

First cataloged BIE die break for the 1943 Lincoln Cent — the famous steel cent year when zinc-coated steel planchets replaced copper due to wartime shortages — LDB4-1943-001 preserves a small vertical die break between B and E in LIBERTY. BIE die breaks are among the most collected minor varieties on Lincoln Cents, named for the raised mark resembling a capital I between B and E. The phenomenon occurs because this area is a stress concentration point: the deep recesses forming B and E are separated by a narrow steel bridge prone to cracking under repeated striking impact. When a vertical fracture develops, planchet metal flows into the crack during striking, creating the characteristic raised line. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins under the LDB4 prefix (Lincoln Die Break, 4th series), the 1943 steel cent context makes this BIE especially notable — harder steel planchets accelerated die wear compared to softer copper, potentially contributing to crack formation. The catalog number 001 indicates this was the first BIE documented for the 1943 date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Antenucci
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References