What Is a BIE Penny? The Classic Die Crack That Isn’t PMD
1955-D Lincoln cent showing a classic BIE die crack. This raised line of metal formed on the die, not the coin.
If you spend enough time searching Lincoln cents, eventually you will run into one of the most common and most recognizable die cracks out there. Collectors call it a “BIE,” because the small vertical die crack almost always shows up between the B and E in LIBERTY. It looks like a tiny extra letter, almost like the word is spelled L I B I E R T Y.
A BIE is real mint-made die deterioration, not PMD (post mint damage). The dies simply weakened in that one spot over time, and the crack started transferring onto every coin that followed. Because they show up in so many years from the 1950s through the early 60s, they became a fun little sub-collection in the Lincoln series.
How to Spot a True BIE Die Crack
Close-up view of the BIE crack. Notice the raised, rounded break connecting the letters.
A real BIE runs vertically between the B and the E in LIBERTY. It looks like a raised line of metal, not a scratch or gouge. If you tilt the coin under a light, the crack will catch highlights the same way the normal design does, because it sits above the surface. PMD scratches cut into the coin, but a die crack rises up from it.
Most genuine BIE cracks have a rounded, almost swollen shape. They can be thin and delicate or thick and dramatic. Some are small breaks that barely bridge the letters, while others stretch from the rim all the way into Lincoln’s bust. Once you’ve seen a few, you start to recognize the look instantly.
Why BIE Die Cracks Happen
A BIE crack forms when the working die develops a thin fracture across the letters in LIBERTY. Every coin struck with that damaged die ends up with a raised line of metal in the same spot. It is part of the design at the moment of striking, which is why it is considered a legitimate variety and not damage from circulation.
These cracks were especially common in the 1950s because the Mint was pushing dies harder than ever to keep up with production. Dies wore out faster and small fractures like this showed up all the time. Most dates between 1950 and 1960 have at least a few known BIE stages, and some dates have dozens.
Are BIE Cents Worth Anything?
Most BIE die cracks are common. The Mint used so many dies in the 1950s that dozens of different crack stages exist for the same date. Because of that, most examples fall into the fun-to-collect, low-value category.
Circulated BIE cents usually sell for around 25 cents to a dollar. Cleaner examples, especially with a bold, well-defined break, can bring a few dollars. Value only climbs higher when the break forms a dramatic shape or when the die crack matches a documented progression that collectors already chase.
If you want to compare yours to known varieties, coppercoins.com has a fantastic searchable catalog of BIE listings. It breaks each year into individual dies so you can see if your crack lines up with an attributed stage.
Final Thoughts
BIE die cracks are not rare, but they land in that perfect zone where a small mint flaw turns into something with character. They show how hard the dies were pushed in the 1950s and how those tiny fractures carried over to thousands of coins that still float around today.
If you find one, hang onto it. They are fun, they stand out in a row of normal cents, and they sharpen your eye for real die breaks instead of post mint damage. The more of them you see, the easier it becomes to spot the difference between natural die deterioration and damage picked up in circulation.
That is the real appeal. BIEs make roll hunting more rewarding and help you build the instincts you need for the tougher stuff.
Geoff runs Genuine Cents, a straight talking coin education project built from hands-on experience and hundreds of hours examining coins. He is an ANA member and writes practical guides for new and returning collectors who want clarity instead of hype. If you want to reach him, message him on Instagram at @GenuineCents.
