LDB4-1955S-004C BIE Die Break

Description

Fourth BIE die break at Hardy position 4 for the 1955-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety carries the "C" suffix denoting a specific die state within the crack's progression. Cross-referenced as Cohen 54S-B606 and Hardy 54S-4F+2 with a notation of "later die state," the attribution data places this specimen later in the die's life cycle when the crack had widened further. An important discrepancy in the cross-references — the Cohen and Hardy codes reference "54S" rather than "55S" — suggests this die may have originated from 1954 San Francisco production and continued in service into 1955, or reflects a numbering convention in these specific reference systems. BIE die breaks form when a vertical fracture develops in the die between the letters B and E of LIBERTY, filling with metal during striking to create a raised bar resembling an extra letter I. The "later die state" annotation is significant because BIE cracks are progressive: they begin as hairline fractures and widen over time, producing increasingly prominent BIEs as the die continues in service. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this variety is part of the extensive BIE documentation for 1955-S Wheat Cents. The San Francisco Mint's 1955 cent production was modest compared to Philadelphia and Denver, making documented varieties from the S-mint slightly scarcer in absolute terms than their counterparts from higher-production facilities.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Louis A
• Cross references: Cohen 54S-B606, Hardy 54S-4F+2 “later die state”. 08/27/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References