LDB4-1952S-001 BIE Die Break

Description

San Francisco Mint BIE die breaks are inherently scarcer than their Denver counterparts, as the western facility struck far fewer cents during the early 1950s — making this first documented BIE for the 1952-S Lincoln Wheat Cent a noteworthy find. Hardy Index 52S-4FH+5 provides detailed positional information: position 4 between B and E of LIBERTY, front-head sub-position placing the break near the upper-front area of the inter-letter space, with five additional die features. The "FH" designation is relatively uncommon among Hardy sub-position codes, suggesting the crack originated in a specific zone near the top of the letter space where die stress patterns differ from the more frequently documented center and down positions. Cohen Index 52S-B602 confirms this variety's cataloged status in the Cohen reference, giving collectors dual-system attribution. A BIE die break forms when a vertical crack in the recessed die area between LIBERTY's B and E fills with metal during striking, creating a raised bar on the finished coin. The five supplementary features indicated by "+5" add diagnostic richness beyond the primary break. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this sole documented BIE for the 1952-S underscores the relative rarity of San Francisco die varieties from this period compared to Denver's prolific output.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 52S-B602, Hardy 52S-4FH+5. 09/16/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References