LDB3-1987-001 BIE Die Break

Description

Cataloged as LDB3-1987-001 with a Hardy Index classification of 3 EL+, this BIE die break on the 1987 Lincoln Memorial cent belongs to one of the most popular and widely collected die variety categories in American numismatics. A BIE die break occurs when a vertical crack develops in the die between the letters B and E of LIBERTY on the obverse, filling with metal during striking to create a raised vertical line that resembles the letter I — spelling out "BIERTY" or "BLIBERTY" to the unaided eye. The Hardy Index system, developed by researcher David Hardy to classify BIE breaks by position and extent, assigns this variety the designation "3 EL+" — where "3" identifies the third letter gap of LIBERTY (the space between B and E, counting from L toward Y) and "EL+" indicates the break extends three-quarters or more below the lowest level of the adjacent letters. The extent classification tells collectors how tall the BIE line appears on the coin: an EL+ break projects well below the baseline of the letters, creating a particularly prominent vertical stroke. BIE varieties have attracted a dedicated collecting community because they are visually distinctive, relatively common on Lincoln cents from all eras, and categorizable through the Hardy Index system that brings order to what might otherwise seem like random die cracks. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1987 mintage of 4,682,466,931 cents.

Attribution History

• Cross reference: LDB3-1987-001 3 EL+. 04/13/2020.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References