LDB4-1957D-014 BIE Die Break

Description

Fourteenth BIE die break documented for the 1957 Denver Mint Lincoln Wheat Cent, this early entry in the extensive 1957-D BIE catalog was recorded on September 4, 2016, and is cross-referenced as Cohen 57D-BA209 and Hardy 57D-4SCL-1. The Cohen BA209 designation provides a comprehensive catalog number within the broader Lincoln cent die break reference, while Hardy 57D-4SCL-1 pinpoints the fracture at a specific position relative to the S, C, and L region of the LIBERTY inscription. The "SCL-1" suffix indicates this was the first BIE break documented at that particular inter-letter location, establishing priority of discovery for this specific die failure point. BIE die breaks occur when the thin wall of die steel separating two incuse letter cavities fractures under the cumulative stress of repeated coin striking — each impression subjects the die to tremendous compressive force, and the narrow ridges between letter cavities represent natural weak points where fatigue cracks initiate and propagate. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this variety is part of the foundational documentation of 1957-D BIE breaks that would eventually grow to well over a hundred entries. The 1957 Denver Mint cent was the penultimate D-mint Wheat Cent, and rolls from this final era of Wheat Cent production remained widely available for decades after the 1959 design transition, providing variety researchers with accessible and affordable material for systematic examination across thousands of coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 57D-BA209, Hardy 57D-4SCL-1. 09/04/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References