LDB4-1954S-004 BIE Die Break

Description

Fourth documented BIE die break for the 1954 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, LDB4-1954S-004 is cross-referenced to Cohen 54S-B624 and Hardy 54S-4F+, providing dual attribution in both major cataloging systems. The Cohen B624 number and Hardy 4F+ position confirm this variety's established status, with the F designation in the Hardy system indicating a fracture characteristic and the plus sign noting additional break features. San Francisco's 1954 cent production was the smallest among the three minting facilities, and the S-mint would cease cent production entirely after 1955, making every documented die variety from these final S-mint dates historically significant. The comparatively modest mintage meant fewer die pairs were consumed, yet four documented BIE breaks demonstrates that the phenomenon was not confined to the high-volume Denver and Philadelphia operations. The forces involved in striking Lincoln Cents — even at lower production rates — generated the same types of stress concentrations in the thin die metal between letter recesses, and the inevitable fractures occurred regardless of which mint facility employed the dies. Reported on August 13, 2015, this variety was documented during the core period of BIE cataloging activity. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1954S-004 provides evidence that BIE die break formation was consistent across all three mint facilities operating during the final years of Wheat Cent production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Smith
• Cross references: Cohen 54S-B624, Hardy 54S-4F+. 08/13/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References