LDB6-1962-001 BIE Die Break

Description

Bearing the catalog designation LDB6-1962-001, this 1962 Lincoln Memorial Cent features a classic BIE die break — a die crack or chip that forms between the letters B and E in LIBERTY, raising a sliver of metal on the struck coin that mimics the letter I. The LDB6 prefix in the Cuds on Coins numbering system denotes the standard BIE positional category, distinguishing this variety from the LDB45 "BIEIR" variant also known for 1962. BIE die breaks are among the most recognizable and avidly collected forms of die deterioration on Lincoln cents, prized because the accidental creation of a legible letter from a die crack gives each specimen a novelty factor that transcends its modest face value. This particular die is cross-referenced to Hardy as 62P-SBHM.V, per the notation dated 04/01/2016, while Cohen does not list the variety. Die breaks like this one are inherently progressive: the crack originates from metal fatigue in the die steel and widens with each successive strike, so early impressions may show only a thin raised line while later strikes produce a thick, blocky I that is visible to the unaided eye. Philadelphia struck 609,263,019 business strike cents in 1962, and the sheer volume of production demanded numerous die pairs, each of which was driven until it could no longer produce acceptable coins — conditions that made BIE formation a recurring event across multiple dies. Attributed by Cuds on Coins, with cross-references to Cohen (Not Listed) and Hardy 62P-SBHM.V.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl Williams
• Cross reference: Cohen Not Listed, Hardy 62P-SBHM.V04/01/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References