LDB4-1955S-003B BIE Die Break

Description

At die state B of die 003, this 1955 San Francisco Mint BIE die break captures a later stage in the die's working life than the initial Stage A formation. Hardy Index 55S-4FH+ designates a front-head sub-position with additional features — the "FH" code placing the raised bar in the upper-front area of the space between B and E of LIBERTY, a zone that corresponds to the top of the inter-letter space near the letter serifs. Cohen Index 55S-B601 provides the formal Cohen catalog reference, establishing dual-system attribution alongside the Hardy classification. The front-head position is a relatively specialized sub-location within the Hardy mapping system, suggesting the die crack originated in a specific stress zone different from the more commonly documented center, down, or generic front positions. Die state progression from A to B indicates that the break widened, lengthened, or developed new companion features as the die continued in service — the "B" suffix tracking this evolution for researchers comparing early versus later impressions from the same die. As a 1955-S variety, this BIE comes from San Francisco's final year of circulation cent production, a milestone that lends added significance to every documented die variety from the date. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, die 003B pairs with its Stage A counterpart to document the full deterioration arc of this terminal-year S-mint die.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Keith Christenson
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-B601, Hardy 55S-4FH+. 12/06/2017.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References