Bonnie, take a toothpick and see if you can clean out the dirt around the bottom of the mint mark. Looks possibly to be an RPM.
I don't see an RPM in the latest photos. A couple of the earlier ones did seem to hint at a possible D/D, but I don't see it anymore. Great circulation find! BIE errors were common in the 1950's, but it's still fun to find one after all this time.
The 50's wheat cent dies were over used. Leaving a lot of coins that catch our attention. The area is called a BIE and was collected for a time in the 60s, until they realized the die chip was progressive. It could start and continue to get larger. There are some books out there identifying these, but with the chip spreading, it would be hard to ID them. There also the deterioration on all other devices as well. The So called 55 doubled die and on and on.
Yes! I have 4 BIE Cents from 1957 and one from 1956. Last Sticker is mislabeled. This is from and old Whitman Folder collection I started about 25 years ago.
I have come across a lot of 1953s with that same wear on the 3. and plenty of the "poor mans" 55s as well. They are not double dies? Just over used worn dies?
From the Lincoln Cent Resource Website - The 1955 "Poor man's Doubled Die" is actually not a Doubled Die at all. The doubling that appears on the last 5 of the date was caused by die deterioration. When die are overused, they begin erode. This is called Die Deterioration Doubling. Not only is this very common, but this same type of effect can be seen on other dates like 1953. The 1955 Poor man's doubled die is popular because dealers made it popular. Some grading companies actually certify this variety.