LDB4-1956-007B BIE Die Break

Description

Seventh BIE die break for the 1956 Lincoln Wheat Cent with a Stage B suffix indicating progressive die deterioration, LDB4-1956-007B documents the second recorded state of a die that earlier exhibited only a "Cracked Skull" feature cataloged as Cohen 56-B627. The progression from Stage 1 (cracked skull alone) to this Stage B (fully developed BIE break) illustrates how die failures evolve during continued production — an initial crack in the skull region eventually propagated into the LIBERTY field, creating the characteristic raised vertical line between B and E. BIE die breaks are exclusive to the Lincoln Cent series, formed when a crack in the die between the B and E of LIBERTY fills with metal during striking, producing a mark resembling a capital letter I. The LDB4 classification and FH+ designation within the Hardy system specify the break's size and characteristics within the standardized taxonomy. Cross-referenced as Cohen 56-B629 and Hardy 56P-4FH+, the dual attribution under independent systems confirms identification. Philadelphia struck approximately 420 million cents in 1956, the penultimate year of the Wheat Cent design before it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this die-stage progression provides researchers with valuable documentation of BIE break development.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• Cross references: Cohen 56-B629, Hardy 56P-4FH+.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References