LDB4-1957-009 BIE Die Break

Description

Ninth BIE die break documented for the 1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent, this variety records a die crack or chip between the letters B and E of LIBERTY that produces a raised vertical element resembling the letter I — hence the "BIE" designation that has become one of the most recognizable variety types in Lincoln Cent collecting. BIE die breaks result from stress concentration in the die surface between the closely spaced letters B and E, where repeated striking creates fatigue cracks that manifest as raised lines or bumps on the struck coin. Cross-referenced as Cohen 57-B588 and Hardy 57P-4F, this variety carries attributions from two of the most comprehensive BIE reference catalogs: the Cohen catalog that uses an alphanumeric system to track individual BIE varieties, and the Hardy Index that classifies them by date, mint, and morphological characteristics. The dual cross-referencing enables collectors to verify their finds against two independent attribution frameworks. Cataloged on July 21, 2015, by Cuds on Coins, LDB4-1957-009 documents the ninth distinct die that developed a BIE-type break during the 1957 production year at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1957 date falls in the final years of the Wheat Cent design — only one more year of production remained before the Memorial reverse replaced the wheat ears in 1959. Nine documented BIE varieties for a single date indicates that the closely spaced LIBERTY letters on Victor David Brenner's obverse design were particularly susceptible to this failure mode, and the 1957 date has been thoroughly examined by BIE specialists who systematically search rolls and bags of late-era Wheat Cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen 57-B588, Hardy 57P-4F. 07/21/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References