Lincoln Memorial Cent

Country of Origin: United States of America

Year of Issue: 1990

Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)

Composition: Copper-plated zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)

Lincoln Memorial Cent

Brief Description

A standard 1990 Denver mint US penny featuring Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

Historical Significance

The Lincoln Memorial reverse design was introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, replacing the previous 'Wheat' design. By 1990, the composition had been changed (since 1982) from mostly copper to copper-plated zinc to save on production costs.

Estimated Value

$0.01 in circulated condition; $0.10-$2.00 in high uncirculated Mint State grades.

Care Instructions

Do not clean or polish the coin, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free holder in a dry environment to prevent 'zinc rot' or corrosion.

Mint Mark

D (Denver Mint)

Mintage & Rarity

4,925,504,511; very common.

Weight & Diameter

2.50 grams / 19.05 mm

Edge

Plain

Apparent Grade

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. The coin shows visible circular scratches/damage on the obverse (likely from a coin sorting machine) and general light wear.

Obverse (Front)

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Legends: 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' to the left, and the date '1990' with mint mark 'D' to the right. Designer: Victor D. Brenner.

Reverse (Back)

Front view of the Lincoln Memorial. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, 'ONE CENT' below. Designer: Frank Gasparro.

What Drives This Coin's Value

Condition (grade) and presence of errors. In this case, the circular scratch significantly reduces any potential premium.

Similar Coins

1990 Philadelphia (no mint mark) or 1990-S Proof coins. Also similar to other Lincoln Memorial cents from 1959-2008.

Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags

Counterfeits of common 1990-D cents are nearly non-existent. Check for weight (2.5g) to ensure it is not a 1982 transition error.

Notable Varieties & Errors

There are no major widely recognized 'key' varieties for the 1990-D, though collectors look for doubling in the date or 'D' mint mark.

Created At: 2026-06-19T12:00:52.216467