Obverse

Reverse

One Cent ($0.01)

Lincoln Memorial Cent

United States · 1978

A copper-alloy United States cent featuring the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1978
Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)
Metal: 95% copper, 5% 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 September 8, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A copper-alloy United States cent featuring the portrait 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. The 1978 issue represents a standard business strike from the late 1970s, an era when billions of cents were produced to meet heavy commercial demand.

Obverse (front)

Features the right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln. The motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' arches across the top, the word 'LIBERTY' appears to the left, and the date '1978' with the 'D' mint mark is to the right. Designed by Victor David Brenner.

Reverse (back)

Features a detailed depiction of the Lincoln Memorial in the center, with the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above it. 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' arches along the top edge, and 'ONE CENT' is inscribed along the bottom. The designer's initials, 'FG' (Frank Gasparro), are visible to the right of the memorial base.

Estimated value

$0.02 - $0.15 for circulated examples; uncirculated specimens in pristine Mint State can reach $2 - $5.

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade, presence of original mint red luster, notable die errors (such as doubled die varieties), and cleanliness of surfaces.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS details with some surface discoloration/spots)

Mintage & rarity

High mintage, extremely common. Over 4.3 billion were struck at the Denver Mint in 1978.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting a 1978 cent is economically unviable due to its face value and abundance; authentication is rarely a concern for standard issues.

Notable varieties & errors

Various minor doubled die obverse (DDO) and doubled die reverse (DDR) anomalies, though none command high premiums unless strongly pronounced and certified.

Similar coins

Lincoln Wheat Cents (1909-1958) and Lincoln Shield Cents (2010-present), distinguished primarily by their reverse designs.

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves if uncirculated. Store in a cool, dry environment in archival-safe coin holders (such as 2x2 cardboard flips or inert plastic capsules) to prevent environmental toning and verdigris.

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