LDB4-1955S-002C BIE Die Break

Description

Bearing the sub-variant suffix "C" within the 002 die break group for the 1955 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, this BIE die break documents a specific stage or position in a die that exhibited multiple recognizable fracture characteristics over its production life. The sub-letter system allows researchers to track a single die through progressive states of deterioration, with each suffix representing a distinguishable change in the fracture's appearance or extent. Cross-referenced as Cohen 55S-B610 and Hardy 55S-4FL+7, this variety was cataloged on 09/24/2016. The Hardy position 4FL+7 locates the break in the FL sub-zone of the LIBERTY inscription, and the "+7" suffix indicates precise positioning relative to an established reference point within that zone. San Francisco's 1955 cent production was the smallest of the three operating mints, with approximately 44 million pieces struck, making BIE die breaks from the S-mint scarcer in absolute numbers than their Philadelphia or Denver counterparts. However, the proportional rate of BIE occurrence appears consistent across all three facilities, indicating that the fracture mechanism is driven by design geometry and striking mechanics rather than mint-specific factors. The 1955-S was among the final San Francisco business-strike cents before the facility transitioned to proof-only production. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this 002C sub-variant demonstrates the detailed tracking of individual die deterioration sequences that characterizes advanced BIE die break research on scarcer mint-mark issues.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Pete Apple
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-B610, Hardy 55S-4FL+7. 09/24/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References