Obverse

Reverse

1 Cent

Lincoln Shield Cent

United States · 2021

A modern United States one-cent coin featuring a profile portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Union Shield on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 2021
Denomination: 1 Cent
Metal: 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper Plating
Grade: About Uncirculated to Mint State

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 21, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A modern United States one-cent coin featuring a profile portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Union Shield on the reverse.

Historical significance

The Union Shield reverse was introduced in 2010 to replace the Lincoln Memorial design, symbolizing President Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single unified country.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of President Abraham Lincoln with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' behind, and the year '2021' in front.

Reverse (back)

Depiction of a Union Shield with a banner reading 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' across the top, surrounded by the legend 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and the denomination 'ONE CENT'.

Estimated value

Face value ($0.01) to $0.10 for circulated modern business strikes.

What drives this coin's value

Mint state condition, high-grade certification, and notable mint errors (like doubled dies).

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State

Mintage & rarity

Very high mintage, extremely common.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits are virtually nonexistent for face-value modern cents due to the low cost of production.

Notable varieties & errors

Various minor die cracks, repunched mint marks (though rare on modern years), and doubled die obverse/reverse errors.

Similar coins

Lincoln Memorial Cents and Lincoln Wheat Cents, distinguished primarily by their reverse designs.

Care & preservation

Store in a dry, room-temperature environment. Avoid harsh cleaning or wiping, which can strip the copper plating and damage the coin.

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