Is This Really An Error?

Here's a better pic of BIE:



Image: 54-s-bie_error.jpg
53.31 KB

Sorry....google is my friend. LOL

quote:

---

BIE Die Break

This is a sub-category of the die break affecting the letters of LIBERTY on the Lincoln Cent. Technically, only a die break between BE of LIBERTY qualifies as a BIE. Generically speaking, however, a die break between any of the letters of LIBERTY qualifies. This variety was termed the "BIE" because that is where the vast majority of die breaks occur. This area of collecting was again the rage in the 1960s, but waned when the obverse die was modified and there were fewer specimens to collect. However, recent years have seen a new crop of this variety showing up and an increased interest.

---

Cool website:

http://www.dmpldollar.com/Minterrorcoins.asp

Just think not long ago coins like that were ignored as junk. They would be, if noticed at all, pointed out to otherss and then thrown back into circulation. Today, thanks to the Red Book and tons of other books on the market about error coins, such things are becoming bigger than a 57 Chevy convertible. At coin shows there are tables of books on error coins and some dealers have entire tables of such things as even the slightest offset. I usually tell people the slightest error is at least $1 but at the last coin show, the slightest error was $10. Note that in the Red Book the vast amount of errors being listed whereas in the past none were there at all.
For every new book on errors coming out, more and more error collectors will be created. Sort of the same thing Dr. Frankenstein attempted. Imagine if he could have created millions of coin collectors.

It's a failed die error which does make it an error under the PDS (planchet, die, strike) system just as a Cud, also from a failed die, is considered an error. 1955S is not a rare date or mint mark. Most BIEs are from the 50's and with few exceptions most dates and mint marks are fairly common. The 55's and 57's IMO are the most common of all.

It is not even necessary to buy these in high Unc grades. In many cases the die failure was not from worn dies but a flawed design and/or cheap steel used in the 50's for dies. So, most likely the die break will still be there undisturbed whether it's on a MS65 or an AU. When I was collecting these a few years back I saw people all the time dangling their grading chains in front of an MS65 and paying 10X as much money to look at the same thing that they could see on an AU.

Unc, however, is important for Crack Skulls (die cracks going through Abes forehead). The die crack becomes the new highest point.


"The Letters BIE is to be understood as standing for
the 'BEST IN ERRORS' and not the diebreak between
the letters 'B' and 'E' as formerly supposed.
John E. Markley
Former BIE GUILD member.

I have over a roll of BU 1955S BIE cents. Never even thought of getting any more than normal value for them. They are very common in almost every date.

Oh, and the others are correct, it is an error, although a very common error. Not all errors are valuable.