LDB4-1956-012 BIE Die Break

Description

Twelfth BIE die break at Hardy position 4 for the 1956 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety records a die crack between the letters B-I-E in LIBERTY that filled with metal during striking, creating a raised vertical line resembling an extra letter between the inscription characters. BIE die breaks are among the most popular and accessible die varieties in the Lincoln Cent series — the term "BIE" has become a catch-all descriptor for die breaks in the LIBERTY area, though the actual break may appear between any adjacent pair of letters. The Hardy classification system places this break at position 4, indicating a specific zone within the LIBERTY inscription, and cross-referencing as Cohen Not Listed and Hardy 56P-4F+ provides dual attribution coordinates. The 1956 Philadelphia Wheat Cent was the second-to-last year of Wheat Cent production from the primary mint facility, with only 1958 remaining before the transition to the Lincoln Memorial reverse. Twelve documented BIE breaks at Hardy position 4 alone indicates that this particular stress point in the die generated frequent fractures — likely influenced by the geometry of letter spacing and the depth of incuse cutting in the LIBERTY area. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1956-012 adds to a substantial body of BIE documentation for the 1956 date that helps researchers understand the relationship between die design, stress distribution, and crack propagation patterns in mid-century Lincoln Cent production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen Not Listed, Hardy 56P-4F+.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References