LDB4-1957-012C Die Break

Description

Sub-variety C within the twelfth die break family documented on 1957 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cents, LDB4-1957-012C carries the Hardy reference 57P-4EL+ — note the 4EL designation rather than the 4FL seen on other 1957 proof breaks, indicating this fracture affects the fourth element level rather than the field level, meaning the break runs through a design element such as lettering, Lincoln's portrait, or the wheat ears. Cross-referenced as Cohen Pending, this variety was cataloged July 13, 2015 by Cuds on Coins. The "C" suffix after 012 indicates this is the third documented progression state or variant of the twelfth die break, suggesting the original 012 die continued fracturing and was documented at multiple stages as the break expanded. Progressive die break documentation — tracking the same die through multiple failure stages — provides valuable metallurgical data about crack propagation rates under proof striking conditions. Philadelphia's 1957 proof production of 1,247,952 sets employed dies that received higher striking pressure than business strikes, accelerating fatigue crack growth. The 4EL classification within the Hardy system provides a standardized method for describing break location relative to design elements, enabling researchers to compare break patterns across different dates and identify whether certain design areas are systematically more prone to fracture.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross references: Cohen Pending, Hardy 57P-4EL+. 07/13/2015.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References