LDB6-1981-001B BIE Die Break

Description

A companion variety to LDB6-1981-001A, the LDB6-1981-001B BIE die break represents a second distinct die exhibiting the same positional classification of LIBERTY die break on the 1981 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent. The "B" suffix distinguishes this die from the "A" die — both share the LDB6 positional category in John Hardy's Hardy Index (cross-referenced as 81P+6SDL+), indicating that the die chip or crack falls at the same general position between the B and E of LIBERTY, but the two were produced by different working dies with their own unique crack morphology and associated die markers. BIE die breaks are exclusive to the Lincoln cent denomination because they depend on the specific letter spacing and font of "LIBERTY" as it appears on the Lincoln obverse design — no other U.S. coin produces this particular visual anomaly. This variety was cataloged on May 2, 2016, predating the 001A entry by approximately seven months, suggesting that the "A" and "B" suffixes reflect die classification ordering rather than chronological discovery sequence. Struck from 95% copper, 5% zinc planchets at 3.1 grams, the 1981 Philadelphia cent was the last full year of copper composition. Attribution by Cuds on Coins; cross-referenced in the Hardy Index as 81P+6SDL+.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• Cross reference: Hardy Index 81P+6SDL+. 05/02/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References