LDB4-1956-002C BIE Die Break

Description

Carrying the "C" die state suffix that indicates a later stage in the die's production life, LDB4-1956-002C documents a BIE die break at Hardy position 4 on the 1956 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent. Cross-referenced as Cohen 56-B611 and Hardy 56P-4F+14, this variety benefits from dual-system attribution that provides collectors with reference points in both the Cohen die variety index and the Hardy classification system specific to Lincoln Cent die breaks. The "C" suffix distinguishes this die state from earlier stages (presumably "A" and "B") of the same die break, tracking the progression of the crack as it widened and deepened through continued use — a valuable record for researchers studying die deterioration rates under production conditions. BIE die breaks form when a stress crack develops in the die between the letters of LIBERTY, creating a channel that fills with metal during striking and produces a raised vertical line on the coin's surface. The 1956 Wheat Cent was among the last coins struck with this venerable reverse design, and the accumulation of numerous BIE varieties for this date reflects both the production volume and the intense scrutiny applied to late-series issues by variety collectors. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1956-002C provides die state progression data that helps researchers understand how die breaks evolve from initial cracks through progressive widening to eventual die retirement.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Taylor
• Cross references: Cohen 56-B611, Hardy 56P-4F+14.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References