Lincoln Shield Cent
Country of Origin: United States of America
Year of Issue: 2015
Denomination: 1 Cent (One Penny)
Composition: Copper-Plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
Brief Description
A small copper-colored coin featuring the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the front and a Union Shield on the back.
Historical Significance
The Shield reverse was introduced in 2010 to represent Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single, united country during the Civil War. It followed the 2009 bicentennial commemorative designs.
Estimated Value
$0.01 circulated, $0.50-$2.00 in high uncirculated grades (MS-65+)
Care Instructions
Do not clean or polish the coin. Note that modern zinc cents are highly susceptible to corrosion ('zinc rot') if the copper plating is scratched or if exposed to high humidity. Store in a dry environment.
Mint Mark
No mint mark (Philadelphia Mint)
Mintage & Rarity
Common; mintage of over 4.3 billion
Weight & Diameter
2.5 g / 19.05 mm
Edge
Plain
Apparent Grade
Very Fine to Extremely Fine (Circulated) based on surface darkening and wear on high points.
Obverse (Front)
Right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln based on the 1909 design by Victor David Brenner. Inscriptions: 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', and '2015'.
Reverse (Back)
A Union Shield featuring 13 vertical stripes and a horizontal bar. Inscriptions: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE CENT'. Designed by Lyndall Bass.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Standard circulation strike. Only significant value is found in high-grade Mint State specimens (MS-67 and above) or specific architectural errors.
Similar Coins
Often confused with the Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959-2008) or the Lincoln Wheat Cent (1909-1958) due to the identical obverse.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Authenticity is rarely an issue for common circulation years like 2015; check for standard weight and magnetism (coin should not be magnetic).
Notable Varieties & Errors
Doubled die obverses or reverses, though none are major rarities for the 2015-P issue.
Created At: 2026-06-13T19:44:16.125103