LDB4-2005D-003 BIE Die Break Cent

Description

The third cataloged BIE die break for the 2005 Denver Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent, LDB4-2005D-003 carries Hardy designation 4BL+, a compact positional code indicating the break's location within the B-to-E zone of LIBERTY. Three documented BIE varieties for a single modern date-mint combination is noteworthy, as modern die manufacturing — including computer-guided hubbing and improved die steel metallurgy — has generally reduced die break incidence compared to earlier eras. Yet the fundamental geometry creating BIE breaks remains unchanged: narrow spacing between B and E on Lincoln's obverse concentrates stress in the die steel, and repeated striking can propagate a fracture regardless of manufacturing improvements. The 2005-D cent was struck on the copper-plated zinc composition standard since 1982, and Denver's high-volume production consumed enough dies to generate conditions for multiple BIE occurrences. The Lincoln Memorial reverse was in its penultimate years by 2005, with the Bicentennial reverses of 2009 and Shield reverse of 2010 approaching. LDB4-2005D-003 confirms that BIE die breaks remain a collectible variety class well into the twenty-first century.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Robert Oney
• Cross reference: Hardy Index 4BL+. 05/17/2021..
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References