1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent Value Guide

The 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent is a landmark issue marking the transition from the 'Wheat Penny' to the iconic Lincoln Memorial reverse designed by Frank Gasparro. Released to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it represents the first major design change for the denomination in fifty years.

What Is 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent Worth?

The typical price range for 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent is $0 - $0 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of original red luster significantly increases value over brown, circulated examples.
• Mint marks from Philadelphia (no mark) or Denver ('D') can influence specific collector demand.
• Overall strike sharpness, particularly the fine details of the Memorial columns and Lincoln's hair.
• Surface preservation, as scratches or heavy oxidation will keep values near the $0.20 minimum.

How to Identify 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Verify the 1959 date on the obverse below the 'In God We Trust' motto.
• Check the reverse for the Lincoln Memorial building, which replaced the previous two wheat stalks design.
• Look for the designer's initials 'FG' located to the right of the Memorial's base.
• Confirm the composition is the standard 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc alloy used during this era.

History of 1959 Lincoln Memorial Cent

The Lincoln Cent, initially designed by Victor David Brenner, was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The original reverse featured two wheat stalks, giving it the popular 'Wheat Penny' nickname. In 1959, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the 50th anniversary of the coin's introduction, the reverse design was changed to depict the Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro. This change marked a significant shift in the coin's appearance, moving from an agricultural motif to an iconic national monument.