LDB4-1957-020 Die Break

Description

Twentieth die break cataloged on the 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent under the LDB4 classification system, this variety extends the remarkable documentation of die fractures within a single proof date. With at least twenty die breaks recorded, the 1957 proof cent production emerges as a rich source of die failure data, despite proof dies receiving more careful preparation and handling than business strike dies. The Philadelphia Mint's 1957 proof production of 1,247,952 sets used dies that were specially prepared with mirror finishes and struck at lower speeds with higher pressure, conditions that paradoxically concentrate stress at die features and can accelerate fracture formation. Cross-referenced as Cohen Pending and Hardy 57P-4FL+, cataloged September 10, 2016 by Cuds on Coins, this break shares the same Hardy classification prefix as several other 1957 proof breaks, indicating a consistent area of die failure across multiple dies. The sequential numbering within the LDB4 system allows researchers to track the total population of documented breaks for each date and mint combination, building a statistical picture of die durability across the Lincoln Wheat Cent series. Proof collectors particularly value die break varieties because the mirror fields provide exceptional contrast against the raised break material, making these errors visually dramatic in hand.

Attribution History

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

External References