Obverse

Reverse

One Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

United States · 1962

A copper United States Lincoln Memorial cent featuring a right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1962
Denomination: One Cent
Metal: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

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Identified August 25, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A copper United States Lincoln Memorial cent featuring a right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

Historical significance

The Lincoln Memorial reverse was introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, replacing the traditional wheat stalks reverse.

Obverse (front)

Features the bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right, with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" above, the word "LIBERTY" to the left, and the date "1962" with the mint mark "D" to the right. Designed by Victor David Brenner.

Reverse (back)

Features a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial with the denomination "ONE CENT" below, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the top rim, and the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" in between. The designer's initials 'FG' (Frank Gasparro) appear to the right of the memorial base.

Estimated value

$0.02 - $0.25 in circulated condition; $1 - $5+ in uncirculated Mint State

What drives this coin's value

Overall condition (presence of original red copper luster), high-grade certification, and rare mint errors.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor surface blemishes and luster.

Mintage & rarity

High mintage, very common. Over 1 billion struck at the Denver Mint in 1962.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting a 1962 cent is economically unviable; verify weight and composition if suspicious.

Notable varieties & errors

Look for occasional doubled die obverse (DDO) or mint errors such as off-center strikes and clipped planchets.

Similar coins

Lincoln Wheat Cents (1909-1958) and later copper-plated zinc Lincoln Memorial cents (1982-present).

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using cotton gloves if uncirculated. Store in a dry, chemically stable environment such as mylar flips or non-PVC coin tubes. Never clean the coin as it destroys numismatic value.

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