LDB4-1956-004B BIE Die Break

Description

Marked with the "B" die state suffix indicating an intermediate stage of die break progression, LDB4-1956-004B records a BIE die break at Hardy position 4 on the 1956 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent. Cross-referenced as Cohen 56-B650 and Hardy 56P-4FL+5, the dual attribution system provides collectors with established reference points for verification. The "B" state typically represents a condition between the initial crack appearance (State A) and advanced deterioration (State C or later), capturing the die break at a stage where it has widened beyond a hairline but has not yet reached the dramatic breadth of a late-state break. The Hardy 56P-4FL+5 designation uses the "FL" variant to indicate a specific sub-position, distinguishing this break from others cataloged at position 4 with different positional suffixes. BIE die breaks on Lincoln Wheat Cents represent one of the most widely collected die variety categories, and the 1956 date is particularly rich in these varieties — a concentration that reflects both the date's high mintage and the proximity to the series' 1958 endpoint, which has motivated thorough searching by collectors seeking to document every variety before the design's retirement. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1956-004B contributes to the detailed die state progression records that make the late Wheat Cent era one of the best-documented periods in American die variety research.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 56-B650, Hardy 56P-4FL+5.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References