Lincoln Memorial Penny Value Guide

The Lincoln Memorial Penny produced between 1982 and 2008 represents a significant metallurgical shift in U.S. coinage from 95% copper to a more cost-effective copper-plated zinc. Featuring Victor David Brenner's iconic portrait and Frank Gasparro's memorial reverse, these coins are essential for collectors completing date and mint mark sets.

What Is Lincoln Memorial Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 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:

• Mint state condition and the presence of original red luster significantly impact the appeal to collectors.
• The presence of rare minting errors, such as double dies or off-center strikes, can increase value above the standard $0.01.
• Specific 1982 transitional varieties, including small date and large date versions, are highly sought after by specialists.
• Overall strike quality and the absence of 'zinc rot' or plating blisters common to this era's composition.

How to Identify Lincoln Memorial Penny?

• Check the reverse side for the Lincoln Memorial design which was used exclusively from 1959 through 2008.
• Verify the weight; copper-plated zinc pennies minted from 1982 onwards weigh approximately 2.5 grams compared to the 3.11 grams of older copper versions.
• Look for the 'D' or 'S' mint marks below the date to identify coins struck in Denver or San Francisco.
• Examine the date to ensure it falls within the 1982 to 2008 range for this specific zinc-core composition.

History of Lincoln Memorial Penny

Designed by Victor David Brenner for the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the Lincoln cent was the first U.S. coin to feature a portrait. The reverse featured the Lincoln Memorial from 1959 until 2008. In 1982, the composition changed from 95% copper to copper-plated zinc to reduce production costs.