Coin Identifier
Lincoln Memorial Cent — obverse
Obverse
Lincoln Memorial Cent — reverse
Reverse
One Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

United States · 1965

A United States one cent coin featuring the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. The coin has no mint mark, typical for circulation coins struck in 1965.

Country
United States
Year
1965
Denomination
One Cent
Metal
95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified More united states coins →
Explore Lincoln Memorial Cent in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

Overview

A United States one cent coin featuring the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. The coin has no mint mark, typical for circulation coins struck in 1965.

Historical significance

Struck during the mid-1960s coin shortage, the US Mint omitted mint marks on all coins from 1965 to 1967 to discourage coin hoarding by collectors.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln with the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" above, "LIBERTY" to the left, and the year "1965" to the right.

Reverse (back)

Depiction of the Lincoln Memorial with the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the top edge, and "ONE CENT" along the bottom.

Estimated value

$0.02 - $0.15 in circulated condition

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade is the primary factor. Look for high-grade Mint State specimens or rare striking errors.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (shows minor wear on Lincoln's cheek and hair details, but strong overall details)

Mintage & rarity

Very high mintage (over 1.4 billion struck at Philadelphia), making it extremely common.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to its massive mintage and low face value, 1965 cents are almost never counterfeited for circulation.

Notable varieties & errors

Minor doubled die obverse varieties exist, though common circulated pieces carry no premium.

Similar coins

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

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry place in a paper or cardboard 2x2 coin flip. Do not clean the coin, as harsh cleaning or wiping destroys its original surfaces and drastically reduces any numismatic value.