LDB4-1955S-011B BIE Die Break

Description

Progressing to the second die state of Die 011, LDB4-1955S-011B maintains the same Hardy code as the A state — 55S-4BL+1, a full-size Back-Left BIE fracture with 1 additional die break — while receiving a distinct Cohen cross-reference of BA117 (compared to BA114 for the A state). The parallel structure mirrors what was observed with Die 009: the Hardy additional-break count remains stable across early die states, with progression manifesting in changes to the primary fracture's morphology rather than in the spawning of new secondary breaks. This pattern suggests that 1955-S dies at San Francisco may have been monitored and pulled before reaching the extreme multi-break states seen on Denver dies from the same year, consistent with San Francisco's smaller mintage of 44.61 million cents versus Denver's 563.257 million. As the last S-mint circulation Lincoln Cent, the 1955-S commands particular attention from die variety researchers. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the 011B state captures a subtle but diagnostically distinct stage in this die's service life, distinguishable from 011A through the physical characteristics that earned it a separate Cohen assignment.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-BA117, Hardy 55S-4BL+1 . 10/03/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References