LDB4-1957-003 BIE Die Break

Description

Third in the cataloged sequence of BIE die breaks for the 1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent, LDB4-1957-003 documents a vertical die fracture between B and E in LIBERTY — the narrow stress zone that generates a raised mark resembling a capital I on struck coins. The 1957 date occupies the penultimate year of wheat cent production, making BIE varieties from this vintage part of the final chapter in Brenner's original reverse design. Philadelphia's substantial 1957 output meant stress fractures had ample opportunity to develop in vulnerable areas across many working dies. The LDB4 system maintained by Cuds on Coins sequences each BIE within its date, and 003 places this as the third distinct die to develop this break among documented 1957 dies. Because each crack follows its own path through the steel, no two BIE die breaks are identical — collectors can distinguish specimens by the exact height, width, and vertical position of the raised mark within the B-E gap. The 1957 wheat cent was struck in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc on a 19mm planchet.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References