LDB4-1955S-008B BIE Die Break

Description

Bearing dual cross-references to Cohen 55S-BA150 and Hardy 55S-4EL+ (documented August 7, 2021), this BIE die break on the 1955-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is designated LDB4-1955S-008B in the Cuds on Coins registry — the "B" suffix indicating this is the second documented die stage within the LDB4-1955S-008 progression. The Hardy code "4EL+" classifies the break as extending approximately three-quarters of the letter height and reaching below the lowest level of the adjacent letters, indicating substantial die deterioration in the zone between B and E of LIBERTY. The "EL+" profile means the fracture produced a bar that not only fills the gap between the letters but also dips below their baselines, reflecting a fracture plane that angles downward relative to the letter relief — a geometry that causes the displaced die metal to carve deeper into the die surface at the bottom of the break than at the top. The Cohen 55S-BA150 cross-reference ties this variety into the Cohen BIE census, where the "BA" prefix identifies the break location as occurring between the B and A (though BIE nomenclature conventionally refers to the B-I-E letter zone, individual breaks may be further specified by their exact position within that range). San Francisco Mint production of the 1955-S Wheat Cent totaled only approximately 44.6 million pieces — considerably lower than Philadelphia's output for that year — making S-mint BIE varieties from 1955 inherently scarcer than their Philadelphia counterparts. Struck in 95% copper / 5% tin-zinc composition, the 1955-S Wheat Cent is part of the series' final years before the Memorial reverse replaced Victor David Brenner's wheat ears design in 1959. Examination under 5x to 10x magnification will reveal the characteristic raised bar with its below-baseline extension.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ray Parkhurst
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-BA150, Hardy 55S-4EL+. 08/07/2021.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References