Obverse

Reverse

1 Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

United States · 1991

A shiny copper-plated zinc cent featuring a right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1991
Denomination: 1 Cent
Metal: 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper (Copper-plated Zinc)
Grade: Mint State / Uncirculated with strong luster and minimal marks

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 18, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A shiny copper-plated zinc cent featuring a right-facing 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 and was used until 2008. By 1991, the composition had been shifted entirely to copper-plated zinc due to rising copper costs in the early 1980s.

Obverse (front)

Features the bust of President Abraham Lincoln facing right, with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' to the left, and the year '1991' with the mint mark 'D' to the right. Designed by Victor D. Brenner.

Reverse (back)

Features the Lincoln Memorial with the statue of Lincoln visible between the pillars. Inscribed with 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, and 'ONE CENT' below. Designed by Frank Gasparro.

Estimated value

$0.01 (face value) to $0.25 in uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Condition / grade, presence of mint errors (such as double dies or plating issues), and high-end certified registry state.

Grade assessment

Mint State / Uncirculated with strong luster and minimal marks

Mintage & rarity

High mintage, extremely common

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting modern 1-cent coins is practically nonexistent due to low face value; ensure weight is approximately 2.5g.

Notable varieties & errors

Look for occasional doubled die obverse or reverse varieties, though most are worth very little unless in pristine high mint state grades.

Similar coins

Lincoln wheat cents (1909-1958) and Lincoln shield cents (2010-present)

Care & preservation

Store in a dry environment in archival-safe flips or holders. Avoid cleaning, as cleaning destroys numismatic value.

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