Obverse

Reverse

1 Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

United States · 1974

A circulated US Lincoln Memorial cent featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse, showing environmental damage and corrosion.

Country: United States
Year: 1974
Denomination: 1 Cent
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 August 29, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A circulated US Lincoln Memorial cent featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse, showing environmental damage and corrosion.

Historical significance

The Lincoln Memorial reverse was introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. By 1974, billions of these cents were being struck to facilitate daily commerce as the primary bronze one-cent coin of the United States.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of President Abraham Lincoln with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' to the left, and the year '1974' to the right. Designed by Victor D. Brenner.

Reverse (back)

Depiction of the Lincoln Memorial with the national motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' arching over the top, and 'ONE CENT' at the bottom. Designed by Frank Gasparro.

Estimated value

$0.01 - $0.05

What drives this coin's value

Condition, presence of errors or significant mint varieties, and copper melt value.

Grade assessment

About Good to Good (AG-3 to G-4), heavily worn with environmental damage and corrosion spots.

Mintage & rarity

High mintage, very common.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits for common circulation date 1974 cents do not exist due to their low face value. Watch out for altered dates or fake mint marks on rare key dates.

Notable varieties & errors

1974-D Doubled Die Obverse and the famous experimental 1974 aluminum cent.

Similar coins

Lincoln Wheat Cents (pre-1959) and Lincoln Shield Cents (2010-present).

Care & preservation

Store in a dry, room-temperature environment in a non-PVC coin flip or holder to prevent further corrosion. Do not clean, as cleaning damages the coin's surface and destroys collector value.

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