DC-1c-1955-06R Die Chip

Description

Distinguished from the obverse die chips cataloged for 1955 wheat cents, DC-1c-1955-06R documents the sixth die chip identified on the reverse of a 1955 Philadelphia Lincoln cent. The "R" suffix in the designation confirms this chip appears on the wheat-ears reverse rather than the Lincoln portrait obverse. A die chip forms when a small fragment of the die surface detaches under the repeated stress of striking, creating a cavity in the die that fills with metal during subsequent impressions and produces a corresponding raised lump on each finished coin. Reverse die chips on wheat cents often appear near the fine parallel lines of the wheat stalks, in the lettering of E PLURIBUS UNUM or ONE CENT, or along the rim — areas where the die engraving creates stress concentrations in the steel. The 1955 Philadelphia cent is among the most thoroughly examined dates in the wheat series, and the existence of at least six cataloged reverse die chips reflects the intensive study this date has received from variety specialists. Attributed by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Greg Capps
• Cross reference number: none. 12/08/2017
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References