Lincoln Cent
The Lincoln Cent is what is now known as the modern penny. It was designed for the occasion of the centennial of Abraham Lincoln, during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
It must be said that lincoln cent caused a great deal of discussion, both before and during its initial release. As the first American coin to feature an actual historical personage rather than some sort of personification (such as Liberty), it was controversial, and some said the design should be dropped. However, once the lincoln cent was actually released, it proved to be immensely popular. Some release centers were often unable to satisfy the demand for the new lincoln cent coins, and people hoping to exchange their old coins for Lincoln cent often had to go home, and then return once the supply was replenished. This is in stark contrast to the present attitude, wherein pennies are often taken for granted.
The basic design of the Lincoln cent is that of the famous President shown in profile, facing right, where the lincoln cent coin’s minting year is stamped. Behind Lincoln, or on the left side of the lincoln cent, one may see the word “Liberty.” Unlike earlier one-cent coins, this one has the famous motto across the top, “In God We Trust.” On the other side of the coin, its value, “One Cent,” is stamped in large letters on the center.
There is also another motto across the top, “E Pluribus Unum,” which is Latin for “Out of many, one.” This is rather appropriate, given Lincoln’s role in preserving the Union. The central phrase has “United States of America” stamped below it, and is also surrounded by two wheat ears. In 1959, this reverse design was changed to show the Lincoln memorial. This year, four new penny-reverse designs are to be/have been released into circulation.
Lincoln cent coin’s composition has also evolved over the years. Originally made of copper, tin and zinc, it became zinc-coated steel during the Second World War to free up copper resources for military production. After the war, minters returned to copper and zinc, reintroducing the tin later.
Lincoln cent coins are popular coins among collectors of various expertise levels. Whatever stage you happen to be at in terms of your coin collecting, remember these particularly valuable minting years: 1909-S, 1909-S VDB, and 1914-D.
Lincoln Cent Fair Market Values in U.S. Dollars (1909-1972)
| Date/Type | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | XF40 | AU50 | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS60 | PR60
(Proof) |
| 1909 BN | $2.13 | $2.30 | $2.59 | $3.45 | $5.46 | $9.78 | $10.35 | $11.40 | $12.00 | $13.20 | $216 |
| 1909 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $14.70 | $240 |
| 1909 VDB BN | $8.63 | $9.20 | $10.35 | $11.50 | $12.65 | $13.80 | $14.38 | $15.60 | $16.80 | $19.20 | $2,520 |
| 1909 VDB RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $20.40 | -- |
| *1909 S BN | $79.35 | $100.05 | $114.00 | $150.00 | $204.00 | $246.00 | $252.00 | $264.00 | $276.00 | $288.00 | -- |
| 1909 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $300.00 | -- |
| **1909 S VDB BN | $730 | $930 | $1,140 | $1,260 | $1,440 | $1,470 | $1,500 | $1,580 | $1,630 | $1,650 | -- |
| 1909 S VDB RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,690 | -- |
| 1910 BN | $0.17 | $0.23 | $0.40 | $0.86 | $3.74 | $8.05 | $9.20 | $10.80 | $13.20 | $18.00 | $222 |
| 1910 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $19.20 | -- |
| 1910 RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $21.60 | -- |
| 1910 S BN | $7.19 | $9.49 | $10.64 | $13.80 | $35.65 | $57.50 | $63.60 | $67.20 | $72.00 | $75.60 | -- |
| 1910 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $80.40 | -- |
| 1911 BN | $0.24 | $0.40 | $1.27 | $1.73 | $6.90 | $9.78 | $10.64 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $19.20 | $228 |
| 1911 D BN | $4.60 | $5.46 | $8.91 | $16.10 | $42.55 | $63.25 | $66.70 | $78.00 | $91.20 | $96.00 | -- |
| 1911 D RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $102.00 | -- |
| *1911 S BN | $19.55 | $28.75 | $36.80 | $43.70 | $59.80 | $92.00 | $96.60 | $110.40 | $126.00 | $174.00 | -- |
| 1911 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $186.00 | -- |
| 1912 BN | $1.15 | $1.27 | $1.90 | $5.18 | $10.64 | $21.85 | $23.00 | $26.40 | $30.00 | $33.60 | $228 |
| 1912 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $240 |
| 1912 D BN | $6.04 | $7.48 | $9.78 | $19.55 | $54.05 | $87.40 | $90.85 | $99.60 | $117.60 | $144.00 | -- |
| 1912 D RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $156.00 | -- |
| *1912 S BN | $14.95 | $23.00 | $26.45 | $36.80 | $64.40 | $94.30 | $97.75 | $105.60 | $132.00 | $162.00 | -- |
| 1913 BN | $0.69 | $0.81 | $1.44 | $3.22 | $14.95 | $21.85 | $25.30 | $27.60 | $30.00 | $32.40 | $222 |
| 1913 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $34.80 | -- |
| 1913 D BN | $2.53 | $2.88 | $4.60 | $10.35 | $34.50 | $60.95 | $66.70 | $79.20 | $88.80 | $98.40 | -- |
| 1913 D RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $103.20 | -- |
| 1913 S BN | $6.90 | $8.05 | $9.78 | $15.60 | $36.80 | $72.45 | $74.75 | $94.80 | $108.00 | $138.00 | -- |
| 1913 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $150.00 | -- |
| 1914 BN | $0.35 | $0.63 | $1.90 | $4.89 | $18.00 | $32.20 | $33.35 | $37.20 | $39.60 | $43.20 | $228 |
| **1914 D BN | $186 | $222 | $366 | $468 | $940 | $1,440 | $1,530 | $1,650 | $1,890 | $1,980 | -- |
| *1914 S BN | $10.06 | $13.23 | $14.66 | $25.30 | $78.20 | $143.75 | $149.50 | $162.00 | $216.00 | $258.00 | -- |
| 1915 BN | $1.09 | $1.55 | $5.46 | $11.50 | $41.40 | $64.40 | $66.70 | $72.00 | $75.60 | $80.40 | $240 |
| 1915 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $270 |
| 1915 D BN | $1.55 | $2.01 | $3.45 | $5.75 | $20.70 | $40.25 | $42.55 | $48.00 | $52.80 | $67.20 | -- |
| 1915 D RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $74.40 | -- |
| 1915 S BN | $8.34 | $9.49 | $11.79 | $16.10 | $52.90 | $74.75 | $78.20 | $90.00 | $110.40 | $144.00 | -- |
| 1916 BN | $0.15 | $0.21 | $0.58 | $2.01 | $6.90 | $10.93 | $11.50 | $12.60 | $13.80 | $15.60 | $288 |
| 1916 D BN | $0.58 | $1.44 | $2.01 | $4.60 | $16.10 | $29.90 | $32.20 | $37.20 | $45.60 | $60.00 | -- |
| 1916 S BN | $1.27 | $2.59 | $3.74 | $4.89 | $18.40 | $33.35 | $36.80 | $43.20 | $45.60 | $69.60 | -- |
| 1917 BN | $0.14 | $0.21 | $0.29 | $1.50 | $3.74 | $10.93 | $11.50 | $12.60 | $13.80 | $15.60 | -- |
| 1917 D BN | $0.46 | $0.75 | $1.38 | $4.20 | $20.70 | $33.35 | $34.50 | $38.40 | $48.00 | $61.20 | -- |
| 1917 S BN | $0.40 | $0.63 | $0.98 | $1.90 | $9.30 | $27.60 | $32.40 | $42.00 | $48.00 | $62.40 | -- |
| 1918 BN | $0.21 | $0.24 | $0.35 | $0.98 | $4.03 | $8.34 | $9.20 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | -- |
| 1918 D BN | $0.58 | $0.98 | $1.55 | $3.45 | $14.95 | $29.90 | $32.20 | $38.40 | $45.60 | $61.20 | -- |
| 1918 S BN | $0.35 | $0.63 | $1.09 | $2.88 | $8.05 | $27.60 | $29.90 | $33.60 | $38.40 | $64.80 | -- |
| 1919 BN | $0.14 | $0.23 | $0.35 | $1.15 | $2.59 | $5.18 | $5.75 | $7.20 | $8.70 | $12.00 | -- |
| 1919 D BN | $0.58 | $0.81 | $1.04 | $2.59 | $10.06 | $29.33 | $30.48 | $33.60 | $39.60 | $52.80 | -- |
| 1919 S BN | $0.23 | $0.35 | $1.15 | $2.30 | $5.18 | $14.95 | $16.10 | $19.20 | $27.60 | $42.00 | -- |
| 1920 BN | $0.15 | $0.22 | $0.38 | $0.86 | $2.19 | $5.00 | $6.90 | $8.40 | $9.60 | $12.00 | -- |
| 1920 D BN | $0.58 | $0.75 | $1.50 | $2.59 | $14.95 | $29.33 | $31.05 | $34.80 | $39.60 | $62.40 | -- |
| 1920 S BN | $0.29 | $0.52 | $1.27 | $2.19 | $8.91 | $29.90 | $32.20 | $37.20 | $58.80 | $86.40 | -- |
| 1921 BN | $0.26 | $0.46 | $0.63 | $2.01 | $8.91 | $19.55 | $20.70 | $24.00 | $27.60 | $39.60 | -- |
| 1921 S BN | $1.73 | $2.88 | $3.45 | $5.18 | $26.45 | $64.40 | $70.15 | $76.80 | $82.80 | $98.40 | -- |
| 1921 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $108.00 | -- |
| **1922 BN | $670 | $800 | $1,030 | $1,410 | $2,780 | $5,500 | $6,060 | $7,060 | $9,810 | $13,130 | -- |
| *1922 D BN | $12.08 | $12.65 | $13.80 | $17.25 | $31.05 | $52.90 | $55.20 | $60.00 | $73.20 | $78.00 | -- |
| 1922 D RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $81.60 | -- |
| 1923 BN | $0.25 | $0.32 | $0.46 | $0.92 | $5.18 | $8.63 | $9.20 | $10.80 | $12.00 | $15.60 | -- |
| 1923 S BN | $1.67 | $2.13 | $3.16 | $6.33 | $36.00 | $80.40 | $82.80 | $105.60 | $120.00 | $192.00 | -- |
| 1924 BN | $0.15 | $0.21 | $0.29 | $0.86 | $5.18 | $9.20 | $11.50 | $14.40 | $16.80 | $20.40 | -- |
| *1924 D BN | $19.55 | $23.00 | $28.75 | $37.95 | $104.65 | $143.75 | $157.55 | $192.00 | $204.00 | $240.00 | -- |
| 1924 S BN | $0.92 | $1.09 | $2.30 | $3.74 | $27.60 | $62.10 | $72.45 | $79.20 | $84.00 | $114.00 | -- |
| 1925 BN | $0.12 | $0.15 | $0.21 | $0.63 | $1.90 | $6.33 | $6.90 | $8.40 | $9.60 | $10.80 | -- |
| 1925 D BN | $0.46 | $0.92 | $1.50 | $4.31 | $15.60 | $25.30 | $29.90 | $36.00 | $45.60 | $52.80 | -- |
| 1925 S BN | $0.46 | $0.63 | $1.27 | $2.30 | $10.06 | $27.60 | $29.90 | $34.80 | $46.80 | $66.00 | -- |
| 1926 BN | $0.10 | $0.16 | $0.21 | $0.63 | $1.84 | $4.26 | $5.75 | $7.20 | $8.40 | $9.60 | -- |
| 1926 RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $12.00 | -- |
| 1926 RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $14.40 | -- |
| 1926 D BN | $0.26 | $0.32 | $0.63 | $2.88 | $12.65 | $29.33 | $30.48 | $36.00 | $43.20 | $52.80 | -- |
| 1926 S BN | $2.01 | $2.30 | $3.11 | $6.90 | $23.00 | $54.05 | $62.10 | $69.60 | $96.00 | $120.00 | -- |
| 1927 BN | $0.10 | $0.16 | $0.21 | $0.81 | $1.90 | $4.03 | $4.60 | $5.40 | $7.20 | $9.00 | -- |
| 1927 D BN | $0.21 | $0.32 | $0.52 | $1.44 | $6.33 | $21.28 | $23.00 | $28.80 | $43.20 | $55.20 | -- |
| 1927 S BN | $0.46 | $0.81 | $1.09 | $1.90 | $7.48 | $25.30 | $29.90 | $34.80 | $44.40 | $62.40 | -- |
| 1927 S RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $66.00 | -- |
| 1928 BN | $0.10 | $0.16 | $0.21 | $0.58 | $1.55 | $3.16 | $3.74 | $4.80 | $7.20 | $9.60 | -- |
| 1928 D BN | $0.21 | $0.32 | $0.44 | $1.38 | $5.18 | $12.65 | $13.80 | $16.80 | $24.00 | $30.00 | -- |
| 1928 S BN | $0.46 | $0.52 | $0.63 | $2.30 | $7.48 | $19.55 | $21.85 | $26.40 | $38.40 | $62.40 | -- |
| 1929 BN | $0.10 | $0.16 | $0.21 | $0.58 | $1.73 | $3.74 | $4.31 | $4.80 | $6.00 | $7.20 | -- |
| 1929 D BN | $0.21 | $0.25 | $0.35 | $0.63 | $1.73 | $10.06 | $10.93 | $12.30 | $14.40 | $19.20 | -- |
| 1929 S BN | $0.15 | $0.26 | $0.38 | $0.86 | $6.33 | $11.50 | $12.65 | $15.60 | $19.20 | $22.80 | -- |
| 1930 BN | $0.10 | $0.15 | $0.21 | $0.52 | $1.50 | $2.30 | $2.59 | $3.00 | $4.20 | $5.40 | -- |
| 1930 D BN | $0.15 | $0.26 | $0.38 | $0.81 | $1.84 | $4.60 | $4.89 | $6.00 | $8.40 | $13.20 | -- |
| 1930 S BN | $0.21 | $0.26 | $0.38 | $0.69 | $1.27 | $5.18 | $5.75 | $6.60 | $7.80 | $9.60 | -- |
| 1931 BN | $0.46 | $0.58 | $0.69 | $1.27 | $2.53 | $7.76 | $8.63 | $10.80 | $14.40 | $19.20 | -- |
| 1931 D BN | $2.30 | $2.88 | $3.45 | $4.60 | $12.65 | $34.50 | $39.10 | $43.20 | $46.80 | $52.80 | -- |
| *1931 S BN | $78.20 | $94.30 | $98.90 | $105.80 | $116.15 | $132.25 | $143.75 | $156.00 | $158.40 | $162.00 | -- |
| 1932 BN | $1.15 | $1.55 | $1.84 | $2.59 | $4.89 | $11.21 | $12.08 | $13.20 | $15.60 | $18.00 | -- |
| 1932 D BN | $0.98 | $1.15 | $1.38 | $1.73 | $3.74 | $8.91 | $9.49 | $10.80 | $13.20 | $16.80 | -- |
| 1933 BN | $1.04 | $1.27 | $1.50 | $2.07 | $3.74 | $9.20 | $10.35 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $18.00 | -- |
| 1933 D BN | $1.90 | $2.13 | $2.59 | $3.45 | $9.20 | $12.65 | $14.95 | $16.80 | $19.20 | $21.60 | -- |
| 1943 Bronze | -- | -- | -- | $35,630 | $41,880 | $50K | $55,630 | $59,380 | -- | $68,750 | -- |
| 1943 S Bronze | -- | -- | -- | $79,380 | -- | -- | -- | -- | $150,000 | -- | -- |
| 1944 Steel | -- | -- | $5,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $109,250 | -- |
| 1944 D/S BN | -- | -- | $78.00 | $132.00 | $180.00 | $204.00 | $228.00 | $282.00 | $312.00 | $342.00 | -- |
| 1970 S Sm. Date BN | $9.20 | $10.35 | $11.50 | $12.65 | $13.80 | $14.95 | $16.10 | $17.25 | $18.40 | $19.55 | -- |
| 1970 S Sm. Date RB | -- | -- | -- | | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $21.85 | -- |
| **1972/72 BN | $200.00 | $212.50 | $225.00 | $240.00 | $260.00 | $300.00 | $315.00 | $335.00 | $350.00 | $362.50 | -- |
Lincoln Cent Coins (Wheat) on eBay
Lincoln Memorial Cents on eBay
