LDB4-1954S-001B BIE Die Break

Description

Representing the second documented die state of Die 001 from San Francisco's 1954 Lincoln Wheat Cent production, LDB4-1954S-001B carries Hardy code 54S-4F+1 — a Front-position BIE fracture between B and E of LIBERTY with one additional die break. The "B" suffix denotes the second die state, indicating this die had been documented in an earlier stage before additional deterioration earned a separate designation. The preliminary Cohen cross-reference is 54S-B622, a tentative attribution awaiting final confirmation. Hardy's 4F designation places the break in the Front position within the B-E gap, a positional variant distinct from the Back-Left, East-Left, and Down-Left placements more commonly seen across the broader BIE census. San Francisco struck 96.19 million Lincoln Wheat Cents in 1954, a modest mintage compared to Philadelphia and Denver that year. The relatively small S-mint production means fewer working dies were needed, making each documented variety from this mint mark proportionally less common. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen Pre 54S-B622, Hardy 54S-4F+1. 11/23/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References