Lincoln Memorial Pennies, also known as Lincoln Memorial cents, were minted from 1959-2008. The earlier pennies have a copper composition, and the later ones have a zinc composition. In 1982 the composition changed to zinc. The copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams and the zinc pennies weigh 2.5 grams. Most of these coins aren't valuable and they are only worth a premium in uncirculated condition.
Series
Different series are available. Lincoln Memorial pennies were minted out of three different locations- Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The pennies with no mint mark were minted out of Philadelphia. Pennies with the D mint mark were minted out of Denver. Lastly pennies with the S mint mark were minted out of San Francisco. The mint mark, when present, can be found underneath the date.
In addition, proof coins were minted and these coins will sell for more money.
Design
Victor D. Brenner designed the obverse side of the coin and Frank Gasparro designed the reverse side of the coin.
The obverse side of the coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Memorial pennies have the same obverse side design as the wheat pennies and shield pennies.
The reverse side of the coin features the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. If you look closely you can see Abraham Lincoln sitting inside the memorial. This Lincoln Memorial design was first issued in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.
Value
Most copper pennies in circulated condition will only be worth their copper melt value, which is currently around $0.02 per penny. Most zinc pennies in circulated condition will only be worth their face value of $0.01.
Pennies in uncirculated condition can sell for a premium. Proof coins will sell for higher prices. In addition, several notable error varieties exist and these error pennies can be quite valuable.
Ultimately, the value of a Lincoln Memorial penny will depend on its series and its condition. See the list below to learn the value for any individual penny.
- 1959 Lincoln Penny
- 1960 Lincoln Penny
- 1961 Lincoln Penny
- 1962 Lincoln Penny
- 1963 Lincoln Penny
- 1964 Lincoln Penny
- 1965 Lincoln Penny
- 1966 Lincoln Penny
- 1967 Lincoln Penny
- 1968 Lincoln Penny
- 1969 Lincoln Penny
- 1970 Lincoln Penny
- 1971 Lincoln Penny
- 1972 Lincoln Penny
- 1973 Lincoln Penny
- 1974 Lincoln Penny
- 1975 Lincoln Penny
- 1976 Lincoln Penny
- 1977 Lincoln Penny
- 1978 Lincoln Penny
- 1979 Lincoln Penny
- 1980 Lincoln Penny
- 1981 Lincoln Penny
- 1982 Lincoln Penny
- 1983 Lincoln Penny
- 1984 Lincoln Penny
- 1985 Lincoln Penny
- 1986 Lincoln Penny
- 1987 Lincoln Penny
- 1988 Lincoln Penny
- 1989 Lincoln Penny
- 1990 Lincoln Penny
- 1991 Lincoln Penny
- 1992 Lincoln Penny
- 1993 Lincoln Penny
- 1994 Lincoln Penny
- 1995 Lincoln Penny
- 1996 Lincoln Penny
- 1997 Lincoln Penny
- 1998 Lincoln Penny
- 1999 Lincoln Penny
- 2000 Lincoln Penny
- 2001 Lincoln Penny
- 2002 Lincoln Penny
- 2003 Lincoln Penny
- 2004 Lincoln Penny
- 2005 Lincoln Penny
- 2006 Lincoln Penny
- 2007 Lincoln Penny
- 2008 Lincoln Penny
Sources:
The Red Book