LDB3-1955D-001A BIE Die Break

Description

Cataloged under the Hardy system as 55D-3SBL+2 and confirmed as not listed in the Cohen reference, this 1955 Denver Lincoln Wheat Cent carries a BIE die break — a variety where a die crack between the B and E of LIBERTY creates a raised vertical bar resembling the letter I. The position code 3SBL+2 decodes as third space, semi break, left side, extending two units — placing this BIE in the gap between the third and fourth letters with a partial vertical crack favoring the left. A semi break indicates the crack has not fully traversed the space between the letters. An additional die crack on the skull is noted as visible only on high-grade specimens, providing a secondary attribution marker. The 1955-D Wheat Cent was produced during the denomination's final year with the wheat stalk reverse, replaced the following year by Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial reverse. Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait, introduced in 1909, continued across the transition. BIE varieties from 1955 document the die stresses of this penultimate wheat reverse production year.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen Not Listed, Hardy 55D-3SBL+2. 11/13/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References