US · Cent · 1959–2008

Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959–2008)

Replaced the wheat reverse for the Lincoln centennial. Composition shifted from bronze to copper-plated zinc mid-1982 in response to rising copper prices — both compositions exist for that year. Replaced in 2009 by the Bicentennial four-design reverses.

i.

Specifications

DesignerFrank Gasparro (reverse); Victor David Brenner (obverse)
Composition95% copper / 5% zinc (1959–1982); 97.5% zinc / 2.5% copper plating (1982–2008)
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
EdgePlain
SeriesLincoln Memorial Cent
Years issued1959–2008
ii.

Key dates & varieties

YearMintmarkVarietyMintageRarity
1960PSmall Date—semi-key
1969SDoubled Die Obverse—key
1972PDoubled Die Obverse—key
1995PDoubled Die Obverse—semi-key
iii.

All varieties

YearMintmarkVarietyMintageRarity
1960PSmall Date—semi-key
1969SDoubled Die Obverse—key
1972PDoubled Die Obverse—key
1982PCopper composition—common
1995PDoubled Die Obverse—semi-key