LDB5-1955-002 Die Break

Description

Classified as 5SBH+ under the Hardy system, LDB5-1955-002 documents a specific type of die break on the 1955 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent where the fracture extends less than one-quarter the height of the letters below the lowest letter level, with the "S" prefix indicating a semi die break — a partial fracture where the die steel has cracked but not fully separated. Cross-referenced as Cohen NL (not listed in the Cohen catalog) and Hardy 55P-5BH+ with a cataloging date of June 14, 2017 by Cuds on Coins. The "BL+" designation indicates a break below letter height, and the less-than-quarter-height specification places this among the smaller die breaks where the fracture is visible but minimal in extent. Philadelphia produced 378,200 proof sets in 1955, a year forever associated with the famous 1955 Doubled Die Obverse cent that has overshadowed virtually all other 1955 cent varieties in collector consciousness. The semi die break classification is diagnostically important: unlike full die breaks where the fractured piece separates entirely, semi breaks retain structural continuity while showing visible cracking — a transitional state between an intact die and a fully failed one. The Hardy 55P-5BH+ reference integrates this variety into the systematic proof die break catalog that tracks fracture types by location, extent, and severity across the Lincoln Cent proof series. Collectors examining 1955 proof cents should look beyond the famous DDO to discover varieties like LDB5-1955-002 that document the mechanical realities of proof die production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Juan Aguerre
• Cross references: Cohen NL, Hardy 55P-5BH+. 06/14/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References