LDB4-1956D-002 BIE Die Break

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as LDB4-1956D-002 and cross-referenced as Cohen 56D-B902 and Hardy 4ELM, this 1956-D Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a BIE die break — one of the most popular and accessible error types in the Lincoln Cent series. BIE die breaks occur when a small piece of the die between the letters B and E in LIBERTY fractures and falls away, leaving a raised vertical bar on struck coins that resembles the letter I, creating the visual impression of spelling B-I-E. The Hardy designation 4ELM with the notation "EL+" indicates this is a break measuring approximately three-quarters of the letter height that extends below the lowest level of the letters — a substantial break that produces a prominent raised bar easily visible without magnification. The 1956-D Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the Denver Mint in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc composition at 3.11 grams on 19mm planchets, with a mintage of over 1 billion pieces. Victor David Brenner's wheat ears reverse was in its final years, as the 1958 issue would be the last before Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial replaced it in 1959. BIE varieties are among the most collected Lincoln Cent errors due to their visual appeal, relative affordability, and the satisfaction of spotting them in circulation or in dealer junk boxes. The cross-referencing across Cohen, Hardy, and Cuds on Coins catalogs reflects the depth of BIE die break research.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 56D-B902, Hardy 4ELM. 07/19/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References