LDB4-1998-008 BIE Die Break

Description

Eighth in the documented sequence of BIE die breaks at Hardy position 4 for the 1998 Philadelphia Mint Lincoln Memorial Cent, LDB4-1998-008 reflects the extraordinary number of these varieties known for this date. BIE die breaks form when a small vertical crack develops in the die between the letters B and E of LIBERTY, and the widening crack fills with metal during striking to produce a raised bar that resembles an extra letter I on the finished coin. Eight documented BIEs at a single Hardy position from one date is a notably high count, consistent with the enormous cent production volumes of the late 1990s — Philadelphia struck hundreds of millions of cents in 1998, consuming many die pairs, each carrying a statistical chance of developing the stress fracture that creates a BIE. The LDB4 prefix designates position 4 in the Hardy classification system, which organizes BIE varieties by precise location within the LIBERTY inscription. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, the 1998-P date is one of the more fertile hunting grounds for collectors pursuing this popular Lincoln Cent die break specialty.

Attribution History

• Cross reference: COC LDB4-1998-008. 04/11/2016.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References