LDB4-1955S-003C BIE Die Break

Description

Carrying triple cross-references — Cohen 55S-B601, Hardy 55S-4FH+, and JCc-1955S_245 — this BIE die break on a 1955 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent is unusually well-documented across multiple classification systems. The "C" suffix on LDB4-1955S-003C designates a specific die state, capturing this variety at a particular stage in the crack's progressive development. A BIE die break forms when a vertical crack develops in the die between the letters B and E of LIBERTY, filling with metal during striking to produce a raised bar that resembles an extra letter I. The Hardy classification 4FH+ places this crack at position 4 within the LIBERTY inscription with a specific sub-location designation. San Francisco struck approximately 44.6 million cents in 1955, a modest mintage compared to Philadelphia's production, making S-mint varieties from this date relatively scarce in absolute terms. The 1955-S is also notable as the penultimate San Francisco Wheat Cent before the mint's cent production ended with the 1955-S issue. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins on July 13, 2015, this variety demonstrates the depth of BIE die break research, where specialists track individual die states across multiple reference frameworks to build a complete record of die crack evolution.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-B601, Hardy 55S-4FH+, JCc-1955S_245. 07/13/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References