LDB4-1955D-002 BIE Die Break

Description

Where die 001 placed its break at the far-left boundary, this second cataloged BIE for the 1955 Denver Mint shifts to the east-left sub-position according to Hardy Index 55D-4EL+5 — meaning the raised bar sits further from the B and more toward the center-left of the space between B and E of LIBERTY, while still maintaining a leftward orientation. Both die 001 and die 002 carry five additional features ("+5"), but their different sub-positions produce visually distinct breaks that collectors can differentiate under magnification. Cohen Index 55D-B420 provides the Cohen catalog reference, placing this variety two entries away from die 001's Cohen B519 designation — the different Cohen numbers confirming these are products of entirely separate dies despite sharing the same date and mint. A BIE die break results from a vertical crack in the recessed die area between letters of LIBERTY, where repeated striking fatigues the die metal until it fractures. The east-left position distinguishes this die's products from the far-left BIE of die 001 and from the down-left, center-left, and back positions occupied by other 1955-D dies. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, die 002 continues the systematic positional mapping of BIE breaks across Denver's prolific 1955 cent production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55D-B420, Hardy 55D-4EL+5. 07/17/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References