LDB4-1955S-011C BIE Die Break

Description

Eleventh documented BIE die break at Hardy position 4 for the 1955-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety carries the "C" suffix indicating a specific die state within the die's progression. BIE die breaks form when a vertical crack develops in the die between the B and E of LIBERTY, and the widening fissure fills with metal during striking to produce a raised bar that resembles an extra letter I — giving these varieties their distinctive name. Cross-referenced under three established attribution systems — Cohen catalogs it as 55S-BA119, Hardy assigns it 55S-4BL+3, and the JCc numbering system lists it as JCc-1955S_244 — this variety benefits from unusually thorough documentation across multiple references. The 1955-S designation identifies San Francisco Mint production, and the year 1955 is forever associated in Lincoln Cent collecting with the famous 1955 Doubled Die Obverse, one of the most dramatic errors in all of U.S. numismatics. While the doubled die garners the most attention, the eleven BIE varieties at a single Hardy position for 1955-S demonstrate that die variety research extends far beyond headline errors to encompass the systematic documentation of all die failures. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the triple cross-referencing across Cohen, Hardy, and JCc reflects the mature state of BIE research on Wheat Cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-BA119, Hardy 55S-4BL+3, JCc-1955S_244 . 10/03/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References