LDB4-1955S-012 BIE Die Break

Description

Twelfth documented BIE die break for the 1955 San Francisco Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, LDB4-1955S-012 is cross-referenced as Cohen 55S-B603 and Hardy 55S-4F+, providing secure dual attribution in both cataloging systems. The Cohen B603 number and Hardy 4F+ position confirm this variety's established status, with the Hardy F designation indicating the fracture class and the plus sign noting additional characteristics. The 1955-S cent holds a unique place in Lincoln Cent history: it was the final cent struck at the San Francisco Mint before that facility ceased cent production, not to resume until 1968 when proof coinage moved from Philadelphia to San Francisco. This makes every documented die variety on the 1955-S a contribution to the final chapter of S-mint Wheat Cent coinage. San Francisco's 1955 cent output was modest compared to Philadelphia and Denver, yet twelve documented BIE breaks demonstrates that die stress fractures in the LIBERTY area were not merely a function of extremely high production volumes — they occurred at any production level where dies were worked through their usable lifespan. Reported on July 13, 2015, this variety was part of the intensive summer documentation campaign that cataloged BIE breaks across multiple dates and mints. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1955S-012 represents the last gasp of S-mint Lincoln Cent die variety production, documenting fracture patterns on dies from a facility that would soon close its cent coining operations.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 55S-B603, Hardy 55S-4F+. 07/13/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References