LDB4-1955S-011A BIE Die Break

Description

Die 011 from the 1955 San Francisco Mint introduces a full-size BIE break, distinguishable from the small-size breaks on Die 009 by the absence of the "S" prefix in its Hardy code. Cataloged as 55S-4BL+1, the Back-Left designation places this fracture in the same general quadrant as the SBL breaks but at a larger scale — the break itself extends further between the B and E of LIBERTY than its small-prefix counterparts. Cohen assigns cross-reference BA114 to this first die state (suffix A), documenting the die at the beginning of its observable deterioration with just 1 additional break accompanying the primary BIE fracture. San Francisco struck 44.61 million Lincoln Cents in 1955, the final year of S-mint circulation cent production — a milestone that adds numismatic significance to every variety from this issue. The distinction between full-size (BL) and small-size (SBL) breaks within the Hardy classification system allows researchers to categorize not just the position of a die fracture but its physical extent, and Die 011's larger break offers a visual contrast to the more compact fractures on Dies 009 and similar small-prefix entries. Documented by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-BA114, Hardy 55S-4BL+1 . 10/03/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References