1971 D Lincoln Memorial Cent Value Guide

The 1971 D Lincoln Memorial Cent is a copper-plated bronze coin struck at the Denver Mint to honor the 16th U.S. President. While billions were produced for circulation, it remains a staple for collectors completing date-and-mint sets of the long-running Lincoln series.

What affects the value of 1971 D Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Circulation wear significantly impacts value, with most examples found in pocket change worth only face value or copper melt.
• The presence of original mint luster can increase the appeal and price for high-grade uncirculated specimens.
• Authentic mint errors, though rare for this specific year and mint, are the primary drivers for prices above the standard $0.01-$0.02 range.

How to Identify 1971 D Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Look for the 'D' mint mark located directly below the 1971 date on the obverse side.
• Verify the composition is 95% copper and 5% zinc/tin, which gives it a distinct reddish-brown hue compared to later zinc-core cents.
• Confirm the reverse features the Lincoln Memorial design, which was used to replace the original Wheat Ears design in 1959.

History of 1971 D Lincoln Memorial Cent

The Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, marking the first time a portrait was used on a circulating U.S. coin. The reverse was changed to the Memorial design in 1959. This specific coin was struck at the Denver Mint in 1971. Despite various internet rumors regarding high-value errors for this year, common circulated examples like this were produced in the billions and remain part of everyday commerce.