LDB5-1955-001C BIE Die Break

Description

Documented at die state C — the third stage in this die's progressive fracture development — this BIE die break at Hardy position 5 on a 1955 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent is cross-referenced as Cohen 55-B1009 and Hardy 55P-5SBL+1. The "C" die state indicates this represents an advanced stage of the fracture's growth, following earlier A and B states where the crack was progressively narrower and shorter. By Stage C, the die fracture between the B and E of LIBERTY has widened and potentially lengthened, producing a more prominent raised bar on struck coins compared to earlier states. The Hardy designation 5SBL+1 provides precise locational data within position 5, where "SBL" indicates a specific sub-position and "+1" measures the offset from the reference point. The 1955 Philadelphia Mint Wheat Cent occupies a special place in numismatic history as the date of the famous 1955 Doubled Die Obverse — one of the most celebrated error coins in American numismatics — and the intense collector scrutiny directed at 1955-P cents has ensured thorough documentation of all die variety categories, including BIE die breaks. Cohen 55-B1009 provides the parallel catalog number in the Cohen reference system, confirming this variety's acceptance in both major BIE classification frameworks. Position 5 BIE die breaks are less frequently documented than position 4 varieties, making this three-stage progression at position 5 particularly notable for the opportunity it provides to study fracture development at a less common die location. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins with an April 2016 documentation date (noted as 04/01/2106 in the original record, likely a typographical error).

Attribution History

• Discovered by Juan Aguerre
• Cross references: Cohen 55-B1009, Hardy 55P-5SBL+1. 04/01/2106.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References