1987-D Lincoln Memorial Cent Value Guide

The 1987-D Lincoln Memorial Cent is a staple of modern American numismatics, representing the era of copper-plated zinc composition introduced to manage rising production costs. While common in circulation, high-grade specimens and those with specific minting errors remain popular targets for collectors completing date and mint mark sets.

What Is 1987-D Lincoln Memorial Cent Worth?

The typical price range for 1987-D 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:

• Condition and grade are primary factors, with uncirculated Mint State examples fetching higher premiums than the standard $0.05-$0.25 range.
• The presence of the 'D' mint mark confirms its origin from the Denver Mint, a necessity for collectors of specific mint sets.
• Luster and strike quality, as many zinc-core coins from this era suffer from plating bubbles or carbon spots that decrease eye appeal.
• Potential minting errors, such as doubled dies or off-center strikes, which can significantly increase the value beyond its face or common collector value.

How to Identify 1987-D Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Look for the 'D' mint mark located directly below the 1987 date on the obverse side.
• Verify the composition is copper-plated zinc, which was the standard for all 1987 business strikes.
• Check the reverse for the Lincoln Memorial design, which was used by the US Mint from 1959 through 2008.
• Inspect the coin's weight, which should be approximately 2.5 grams, significantly lighter than pre-1982 bronze cents.

History of 1987-D Lincoln Memorial Cent

The Lincoln Memorial Cent design began production in 1959, replacing the Wheat Penny reverse. The specific composition for the 1987 cent, copper-plated zinc, was introduced in 1982 when the rising cost of copper forced the US Mint to switch to a cheaper metal composition. Millions of these coins were produced annually, making this specific date and mint mark combination extremely common in circulated condition.