BIE Progression

rmpsrpms · January 11, 2015 4:23AM

A while back I searched through 58 rolls of 1955-S Cents. It was a fun search, and I found many varieties, gems, toners, some prooflikes, minor errors, etc. Those of you who have searched 1955-S BU rolls know that BIE's are pretty common for this date. Jean Cohen cataloged the known BIEs in her 1969 book "The Classification and Value of Errors on the Lincoln Cent", and this book is still known as the "BIE Bible". In my recent search, I came across a BIE that was not listed by Cohen. Out of the hundreds of 1955-S Cent rolls I have searched over the years, including the recent 58-roll group, I have only found 2 examples of this BIE. After the search, I put these aside for later attribution, and this weekend decided to take a closer look. It turns out that this "new" BIE is a later die stage of another BIE that Cohen lists, B149. Cohen B149 is a partial BIE (B_E) and this new one would be considered full (>2/3 of the space between B and E is filled).

Here are full coin photos of the Cohen B149 BIE, the new BIE, and also a high resolution animated.gif transitioning from one to the other. Enjoy!

TheRegulator · January 11, 2015 5:05AM

Very cool! Love the gif!

So, do you collect BIEs? If so, do you think the Cohen book makes it more enjoyable? I remember trying to get into them, but just couldn't. I started getting into RPMs and found them much more enjoyable with more references readily available.

Fun post!

rmpsrpms · January 11, 2015 6:43AM

<< <i>Very cool! Love the gif!

So, do you collect BIEs? If so, do you think the Cohen book makes it more enjoyable? I remember trying to get into them, but just couldn't. I started getting into RPMs and found them much more enjoyable with more references readily available.

Fun post!

>>

I have collected RPMs and Doubled Dies for decades. When I came across a die break variety (BIEs, Cuds, Filled Letters, etc) I put them aside for later attribution. I found a copy of Cohen by chance at a library book sale a couple years ago, and just recently started attributing the BIEs. It's been a lot of fun! Until I had the Cohen book, all I could do is ACCUMULATE. Now, since I can tell you for sure that I own 22 of the 39 total (actually 23/40 with this new one!) BIE's for 1955-S, and I am looking for a couple interesting ones I don't own, I am able to COLLECT BIEs! The reference makes all the difference.

DAM · January 11, 2015 7:01AM

Love the gif. Great teaching aid!!

messydesk · January 11, 2015 7:11AM

Cool! Nicely done.

gonzer · January 11, 2015 7:11AM

I'll echo the same sentiments about your excellent gif. Thank you.

TheRegulator · January 11, 2015 9:06AM

Talk about luck! I wonder how many library book sales have copies of that book???

rmpsrpms · January 11, 2015 9:15AM

<< <i>Talk about luck! I wonder how many library book sales have copies of that book???

>>

Exactly! It is #400/1000 of the first printing (which may have been the only printing...) and signed by author. Cost me $1. It had been wet at one time, and has ex-library markings, so is very much a "working copy", but that's what I need.

lasvegasteddy · January 11, 2015 9:35AM

amazing .gif work there
alignment is perfect
speed is a tad fast for my likes
6 layer?....about 4 images with 2 used again to return ?

these "BIE" cents never caught on much so i never took interest

Bodin · January 11, 2015 9:55AM

Love it! Great photography as always! Thank you for sharing.

Shamika · January 11, 2015 11:23AM

That's an excellent GIF.

rmpsrpms · January 11, 2015 11:26AM

<< <i>amazing .gif work there
alignment is perfect
speed is a tad fast for my likes
6 layer?....about 4 images with 2 used again to return ?

these "BIE" cents never caught on much so i never took interest >>

I know what you mean about BIEs. I just accumulated them when I found them until I ended up seeing a lot of differences between them, and started looking them up in the Cohen book at the suggestion of another forum member who avidly collects them. Now, I'm hooked!

For the animation, I used paint.net to make the overlays, and ezgif.com to make the animation using total of 10 images. I used the default speed on ezgif.com.

The sequence is:

B149 (repeated twice)
B149 (75%) + newBIE (25%)
B149 (50%) + newBIE (50%)
B149 (25%) + newBIE (75%)
newBIE (repeated twice)
B149 (25%) + newBIE (75%)
B149 (50%) + newBIE (50%)
B149 (75%) + newBIE (25%)

spoilr · January 11, 2015 8:46PM

Very interesting post and the gif animation is really excellent
Looking at the 4th. add. of the Variety & oddity guide by F.G.Spadone the bie's seem to occur with some regularity since the early 40's.
I have found a few these thru the years and also set them aside just because they are somewhat interesting.
Had no idea that there was a following of same or the book by Cohen.
Seems that there must be some commonality during the minting process that is happening that would produce
this reoccurring oddity year after year.
The only one of the coins that I saved and could find is a 1954s.
Have no idea as to where the others are.
Skip

lasvegasteddy · January 11, 2015 9:42PM

thanks for the reply here
ezgif.com sweet lil site there too

i used to make .gif images of toners
crappy lil maker site i was using only allowed 6 images
so my sequence was ....1-2-3-4-3-2 and it would loop fine
i didn't have overlay as option

this site...up to 200 images <<< wow
example
one can run a complete lincoln series now using the date as alignment
to see design change through all years
all combined in one .gif image <<<sweet

the couple i made
i received comments that speed was an important factor
they have to have a "natural rhythm" or they can cause seizures in those prone to such
so i slowed mine down

right on and love it

an assumption of mine pertaining to these "bie" cents is
an underground effort or message being spread
that liberty is under occupation
that "lie's" have infiltrated our precious liberty
so i've never considered them..."bie"
moreso "lie" berty cents

ricko · January 11, 2015 9:45PM

Excellent pictures and .gif..... was not aware of this collecting niche.....will check for these when I go through my wheaties....Cheers, RickO

OldEastside · January 12, 2015 12:14AM

These were all the rage in 1970 when I first started collecting, and I recall finding a few in change back then.

Steve

Timbuk3 · January 12, 2015 6:54AM

Sweet !!!

BLUEJAYWAY · January 12, 2015 4:57PM

This is a blast from my past. First off excellent pixs. I still collect BIE's from the standpoint that I have all the ones I accumulated from the late 60's/early 70's. I too had owned the Cohen book as well as the Spadone error/variety book. Unfortunately, in one of my moves in the US they were lost in transit with other items. I wish I could get them back along with the Mort Goodman "The Design Cud" book that was in the shipment as well.Happy hunting.

Type2 · January 12, 2015 5:02PM

OAKSTAR · December 1, 2023 11:30AM

Again, amazing @rmpsrpms!!! Outstanding!! 👍

BIE Progression

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