RIDB-1c-1953-02 Retained Interior Die Break

Description

The second cataloged retained interior die break on the 1953 Lincoln Wheat Cent, RIDB-1c-1953-02 documents another instance of internal die fracture where a fragment remained in place during continued production. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, retained interior die breaks manifest on struck coins as raised lines tracing the fracture boundary, often forming irregular closed or partially closed shapes within the design field. The 1953 Lincoln Wheat Cent was produced at a time when the Mint was managing high production demands for circulating coinage, and dies were used extensively before retirement. Interior die breaks become more likely as metal fatigue accumulates from repeated striking impacts, and each RIDB variety represents a unique fracture pattern determined by the specific stress distribution within that individual die. No two retained interior breaks are exactly alike in their outline shape and location, making each cataloged variety a distinct specimen of die failure.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis A
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References