LDB4-1958-001 BIE Die Break

Description

Bearing special significance as a variety from the final year of the Lincoln Wheat Cent reverse, this BIE die break on a 1958 Philadelphia Mint cent is classified as 4FH+ under the Hardy system. The FH+ designation indicates a full-height break extending above the adjacent letters, producing a prominent raised bar between B and E of LIBERTY visible without strong magnification. BIE die breaks form when a vertical crack widens enough to fill with metal during striking, creating what appears to be an extra letter I. This is the first documented BIE at Hardy position 4 for 1958, and its presence on the last wheat cent ever produced adds context — after 1958, the Lincoln Memorial reverse replaced Victor David Brenner's wheat ears design in continuous use since 1909. Cross-referenced as Cohen 58-B602 and Hardy 58P-4FH+4, this variety is cataloged by Cuds on Coins. Collectors pursuing BIE die breaks across the complete wheat cent date range consider the 1958 issue a meaningful bookend, documenting die stress on the very last coins to bear the iconic wheat reverse.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jeff Ylitalo
• Cross references: Cohen 58-B602, Hardy 58P-4FH+4. 08/16/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References