LDB6-1953-001C BIE Die Break

Description

Breaking from the typical BIE pattern, LDB6-1953-001C documents a die fracture at LIBERTY position 6 — between the T and Y — rather than the far more common position 4 between B and E. Hardy Index code 53P-ALRT+1 translates to "After Liberty Right T" with 1 additional die break, precisely locating the fracture at the right side of the T where it faces the Y. This makes the variety technically a "BTY" break rather than a classic "BIE," though it is cataloged within the broader LIBERTY die break framework. Cohen assigns cross-reference B1106. The suffix "C" indicates the third documented die state of Die 001, capturing this particular die at a point in its progression beyond the A and B states. Philadelphia struck 256.76 million Lincoln Wheat Cents in 1953, and while P-mint BIE breaks are less commonly cataloged than their Denver counterparts, they are by no means rare given Philadelphia's substantial output. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this position-6 variety expands the LIBERTY die break census beyond the B-E zone, demonstrating that stress fractures could develop between any adjacent letters in the legend — though the B-E gap remained statistically the most vulnerable point.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 53-B1106, Hardy Index 53P-ALRT+1. 12/22/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References