LDB4-1956-002B Die Break

Description

Proof production at the Philadelphia Mint employed polished dies and carefully prepared planchets struck at slower speeds with higher pressure, creating an environment where every die imperfection transfers with photographic clarity — conditions that make this second die break variety for the 1956 proof Lincoln Wheat Cent a particularly sharp record of die deterioration. Cataloged as LDB4-1956-002B, the "002" identifies it as a distinct die break from the 001 variety, with "B" marking this specific sub-variety. Cross-referenced as Cohen 56-B610 and Hardy 56P-4F+14, the Cohen number places it within a different die marriage than the 001A variety (B610 versus B632), while the Hardy position +14 indicates the die crack's mapped location on the die face. The proof striking process, though gentler per impression than high-speed business-strike production, still subjected dies to the concentrated forces that inevitably produce cracks over repeated use. Each proof die was expected to deliver a limited number of strikes before retirement, yet even within that shorter lifespan, die breaks developed with enough frequency to populate an extensive catalog for the 1956 proof date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 56-B610, Hardy 56P-4F+14.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References