Obverse

Reverse

1 Cent (One Penny)

Lincoln Shield Cent

United States of America · 2015

A small copper-colored coin featuring the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the front and a Union Shield on the back.

Country: United States of America
Year: 2015
Denomination: 1 Cent (One Penny)
Metal: Copper-Plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)

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 June 13, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A small copper-colored coin featuring the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the front and a Union Shield on the back.

Historical significance

The Shield reverse was introduced in 2010 to represent Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single, united country during the Civil War. It followed the 2009 bicentennial commemorative designs.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln based on the 1909 design by Victor David Brenner. Inscriptions: 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', and '2015'.

Reverse (back)

A Union Shield featuring 13 vertical stripes and a horizontal bar. Inscriptions: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE CENT'. Designed by Lyndall Bass.

Estimated value

$0.01 circulated, $0.50-$2.00 in high uncirculated grades (MS-65+)

What drives this coin's value

Standard circulation strike. Only significant value is found in high-grade Mint State specimens (MS-67 and above) or specific architectural errors.

Grade assessment

Very Fine to Extremely Fine (Circulated) based on surface darkening and wear on high points.

Mintage & rarity

Common; mintage of over 4.3 billion

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Authenticity is rarely an issue for common circulation years like 2015; check for standard weight and magnetism (coin should not be magnetic).

Notable varieties & errors

Doubled die obverses or reverses, though none are major rarities for the 2015-P issue.

Similar coins

Often confused with the Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959-2008) or the Lincoln Wheat Cent (1909-1958) due to the identical obverse.

Care & preservation

Do not clean or polish the coin. Note that modern zinc cents are highly susceptible to corrosion ('zinc rot') if the copper plating is scratched or if exposed to high humidity. Store in a dry environment.

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