Lincoln Memorial Penny (1959 - 2008) Price Guide & Values

In 1959, the Lincoln cent got a makeover. The familiar wheat stalks on the reverse made way for the majestic Lincoln Memorial.

This new design, which lasted until 2008, became one of America's longest-running coin designs.

Copper to Zinc: A Penny's Weight Loss Journey

Did you know pennies went on a diet? Here's the scoop:

• 1959-1982: 95% copper, 5% zinc, weighing 3.11 grams
• 1982-2008: Copper-plated zinc, weighing 2.5 grams

Why the change? Copper prices soared, making each penny worth more as metal than as currency!

Treasure Hunt: Key Dates and Rare Finds

While most pennies in your change jar are worth, well, a penny, some are hidden gems:

1. 1960 Small Date: A tiny difference that could mean big bucks
2. 1970-S Small Date: Another small change with a potentially large payoff
3. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse: The rock star of penny errors
4. 1983 Doubled Die Reverse: A backwards glance at value
5. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse: Proving the '90s can be valuable too

Oops! Valuable Mistakes

Even the U.S. Mint makes mistakes, and some of these errors can be worth a pretty penny:

1. Off-center strikes: When the penny missed its mark
2. Doubled Die errors: Seeing double can mean seeing dollar signs
3. Repunched mintmarks: A stutter in metal that collectors love
4. 1982 Small Date on copper planchet: A mix-up that could be worth thousands

What Makes a Penny Valuable?

Several factors can turn a humble cent into a prized possession:

1. Condition: The better it looks, the more it's worth
2. Color: For uncirculated coins, redder is better
3. Mintmark: Some mints are rarer than others
4. Errors and varieties: Mistakes can be valuable!

Grading: From Worn to Wow

Grading is like a report card for coins. Here's a quick guide:

• Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-70): Fresh from the mint
• About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): Almost perfect
• Extremely Fine (EF-40 to EF-45): Lightly used but still sharp
• Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35): Well-preserved with clear details
• Fine (F-12 to F-15): Worn but major features intact

Show Me the Money: Value Guide

Most pennies are worth... a penny. But some can surprise you:

• Common dates in good shape: A few cents to a dollar
• Uncirculated common dates: Up to $55 for the best examples
• Key dates and errors: Hundreds or even thousands of dollars

Imagine finding a 1972 Doubled Die worth $14,000 or a 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse selling for over $100,000!

Collecting: More Than Just Penny-Pinching

Collectors often focus on:

1. Building complete sets
2. Hunting for errors and varieties
3. Seeking out the best-looking examples

Keep Those Pennies Pretty: Storage Tips

Proper care can keep your coins looking their best:

1. Use special coin folders or albums
2. Handle coins by their edges
3. Store in a cool, dry place

Wrap-Up: Small Coin, Big Potential

While most Lincoln Memorial Pennies won't make you rich, the thrill of the hunt and the possibility of finding a rare treasure make collecting these coins an exciting hobby.

So, next time you get change, take a closer look – you might be holding a little piece of history or a valuable rarity in your hand!Remember, in the world of coin collecting, every penny counts!

Lincoln Memorial cents were minted throughout the following years:

1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

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