How to Identify the Lincoln Memorial Cent
A guide to the Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959-2008), covering the Lincoln obverse, Memorial building reverse, copper versus copper-plated zinc composition, and mint mark placement.
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What Is the Lincoln Memorial Cent?
The Lincoln Memorial Cent was produced from 1959 through 2008, replacing the wheat ears reverse used since 1909 with a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. It kept the same Victor David Brenner obverse portrait used on the cent since 1909.
Obverse Design
The obverse shows a right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, with "IN GOD WE TRUST" above, "LIBERTY" to the left of the portrait, and the date to the right. Brenner's initials, "VDB," appear in small letters on the shoulder cutoff of the bust.
Reverse Design
The reverse depicts the Lincoln Memorial building, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above and "ONE CENT" below. A well-known detail is that, under magnification, a tiny statue of Lincoln can be seen seated inside the memorial's columns, mirroring the real building's interior statue.
Size, Weight, and Metal Composition
The coin is about 19 mm in diameter. From 1959 through mid-1982, it was struck in 95% copper (with small amounts of tin and zinc); starting partway through 1982, the composition changed to copper-plated zinc, which is lighter in weight and slightly more prone to corrosion if the thin copper plating is scratched or worn through. Both compositions exist with 1982-dated coins, so weight is the most reliable way to distinguish an early 1982 copper cent from a later 1982 zinc cent of the same date.
Mint Marks
The mint mark appears below the date on the obverse. No mint mark indicates Philadelphia, "D" indicates Denver, and "S" indicates San Francisco, used mainly on proof coins during most of this series' run since San Francisco largely stopped producing cents for general circulation after the 1970s.
Telling It Apart from Similar Coins
The Lincoln Memorial Cent is easily distinguished from the earlier Lincoln Wheat Cent (1909-1958) by its reverse: the Memorial building versus two wheat stalks framing "ONE CENT." It should also not be confused with the Lincoln Shield Cent introduced in 2010, which replaced the Memorial reverse with a modern shield design after a one-year Bicentennial series in 2009 featured four different commemorative reverses.
Judging Condition and Authenticity
Grade is judged by the sharpness of Lincoln's hair and coat detail on the obverse and the clarity of the Memorial's columns and steps on the reverse. Because pre-1982 copper cents are worth more in melt value than face value, some individuals have attempted to pass off copper-plated zinc cents as pre-1982 copper, so checking weight (copper cents weigh more) and looking for a visible zinc core at any edge damage are practical ways to confirm composition.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my Lincoln Memorial Cent is copper or zinc?
Coins from 1959 through mid-1982 are 95% copper and slightly heavier; from mid-1982 onward they are copper-plated zinc and lighter, so weighing the coin is the most reliable check, especially for 1982-dated pieces which exist in both compositions.
What is the tiny detail inside the Memorial on the reverse?
Under magnification, a small statue of Lincoln is visible seated between the columns, matching the real Lincoln Memorial's interior.
Where is the mint mark located?
Below the date on the obverse; no letter means Philadelphia, 'D' means Denver, and 'S' generally indicates a San Francisco proof coin.
How is this different from the Lincoln Wheat Cent?
The Wheat Cent (1909-1958) has two wheat stalks framing 'ONE CENT' on the reverse, while the Memorial Cent (1959-2008) shows the Lincoln Memorial building instead.
Lincoln Memorial Cent identified by the community
Recent Lincoln Memorial Cent coins identified with Coin Identifier.
