1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny Value Guide

The 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny is a significant issue for collectors as it marked the return of mint marks to the obverse after a three-year hiatus intended to curb coin hoarding. Composed of a 95% copper alloy, this coin features the classic Frank Gasparro reverse design introduced in 1959 to honor the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

What Is 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny 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 a mint mark, specifically the 'S' for San Francisco, which often carries a slight premium in higher grades.
• The overall strike quality and preservation of the original red copper luster, which is rare for circulated 1968 specimens.
• The existence of mint errors, such as doubled dies or off-center strikes, which can elevate the value above the standard $0.01-$0.05 range.
• The coin's condition as graded by professional services, with Uncirculated (MS) examples being the most sought after by enthusiasts.

How to Identify 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny?

• Look for the 'D' or 'S' mint mark located on the obverse side just below the date, or the absence of a mark for Philadelphia.
• Verify the composition is the correct 95% copper and 5% zinc/tin alloy used before the 1982 transition to zinc cores.
• Examine the reverse for the Lincoln Memorial building design, ensuring the tiny figure of Lincoln is visible between the central pillars.
• Check for the designer's initials 'FG' located to the right of the Memorial's base.

History of 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny

The Lincoln cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. In 1959, the reverse design was changed from the original Wheat ears to the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate his 150th birth anniversary. 1968 marked a return to the use of mint marks on the obverse of the coin after a three-year hiatus during which the U.S. Mint attempted to discourage coin collecting to mitigate a national coin shortage.