LDB6-1962D-001 BIE Die Break
Error
Description
A distinctive class of die break specific to the Lincoln cent series, the BIE variety occurs when a small die crack or chip develops in the field between the letters B and E of LIBERTY, producing what appears to be an extra vertical stroke — an apparent letter "I" — nestled between the two characters. The phenomenon arises because the recessed field area between B and E on the die corresponds to a relatively thin bridge of die steel that is subjected to repeated high-pressure impacts during striking; over time, this metal fatigues and a small section either cracks vertically or chips away, leaving a raised line or lump on the struck coin that mimics the shape of a capital I. BIE die breaks have been documented across virtually every date and mintmark combination in the Lincoln cent series from 1909 forward, and they have developed a dedicated following among variety collectors who appreciate their visual distinctiveness and the relative ease with which they can be spotted without high magnification. LDB6-1962D-001 is the designated BIE variety for the 1962-D Lincoln Memorial Cent, cataloged by Cuds on Coins with cross-references to Hardy 62D-6SBH+ while being noted as Cohen Not Listed, indicating that this particular die break does not appear in the Cohen reference but is recorded in the Hardy catalog under the SBH+ (Small BIE at Head level or above) classification. Collectors searching for this variety should examine the LIBERTY inscription on 1962-D cents at 5x to 8x magnification, focusing on the field space between B and E for any raised vertical element.
Attribution History
- Discovered by Louis A
- Cross reference: Cohen Not Listed, Hardy 62D-6SBH+. 07/01/2016.
- Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins