LDB4-1957-018 Die Break

Description

Among the extensive family of die breaks cataloged on 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cents, LDB4-1957-018 records a fracture where a section of the obverse or reverse die separated, leaving raised unstruck metal on the finished coin. The 1957 Proof issue was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, which produced 1,247,952 proof sets that year — the final proof-only year before the Wheat Cent design gave way to the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. Proof dies, despite their mirror-finish preparation and careful handling, were not immune to progressive fracturing under repeated striking pressure, and the LDB4 classification system documents these failures with sequential numbering within each date. Cross-referenced as Cohen Pending and Hardy 57P-4FL+, this variety was cataloged on September 10, 2016 by Cuds on Coins. The Hardy reference 57P-4FL+ places this break in the fourth field level category, indicating a break occurring in the field area of the die rather than through lettering or design elements. Collectors examining 1957 Proof cents should inspect both sides carefully under magnification, as die breaks on proof issues tend to produce sharper, more well-defined raised areas than those found on business strikes due to the higher striking pressure and polished planchet surfaces used in proof production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen Pending, Hardy 57P-4FL+. 09/10/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References