LDB4-2012-001 BIE Die Break

Description

Appearing on the 2012 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Shield Cent, this BIE die break is cataloged in the Hardy Index as position 4CLM. The 2012 cent features Lyndall Bass's union shield reverse, introduced in 2010 to replace the Memorial reverse that served since 1959. Despite the reverse change, BIE die breaks continue on the Shield Cent because the obverse remains unchanged — Brenner's portrait with the word LIBERTY is the same design element that has produced BIE varieties since 1909. The "LDB4" prefix indicates the die break occurs at position 4 between the letters of LIBERTY, and 4CLM is the Hardy Index sub-classification for this particular crack. BIE die breaks form when a small die crack develops between the letters of LIBERTY and fills with metal during striking, producing a thin raised vertical element. This variety was documented by the Cuds on Coins reference. The 2012 Philadelphia Mint cent was struck on copper-plated zinc planchets, the standard composition since 1982. BIE die breaks are a regular strike phenomenon associated with normal die wear.

Attribution History

• Discovered by G
• Cross reference: Hardy Index 4CLM. 01/27/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References