LDB6-1981-001A BIE Die Break

Description

Cataloged under the LDB6 classification system with Hardy Index cross-reference 81P-6SDL+, the LDB6-1981-001A variety documents a BIE die break on the 1981 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent — one of the most distinctive and widely collected error types unique to the Lincoln cent series. A BIE die break occurs when a die chip or crack develops in the space between the letters B and E of LIBERTY on the obverse, creating what appears to be an extra vertical stroke resembling the letter "I" between those two characters. The visual effect — sometimes described as making LIBERTY read "BLIBERTY" — results from a raised sliver of metal filling the gap where die material has fractured or flaked away. The "6" in the LDB6 designation refers to a specific positional classification within John Hardy's comprehensive Hardy Index, the standard reference catalog for BIE varieties that organizes these die breaks by their precise location relative to the surrounding letters. This variety was cataloged on December 12, 2016, by Cuds on Coins. The 1981 Philadelphia cent was struck from 95% copper, 5% zinc planchets in the final full year of copper cent production, carrying the P mintmark. Attribution by Cuds on Coins; cross-referenced in the Hardy Index as 81P-6SDL+.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Earl M
• Cross reference: Hardy Index 81P-6SDL+. 12/12/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References