Lincoln Memorial cent
Lincoln portrait on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. Business strikes with no mint mark or a Denver D. The alloy changed over the run, and 1982 cents were struck in two alloys.
Coverage
Dated 1959–2008. Mint marks covered: No mint mark, D. 97 date and mint-mark combinations are in our list; anything else is outside launch coverage.
Specifications over time
| Period | Standard mass | Diameter | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze, 1959–1961 | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| 1962 (tin removed during the year; alloy not resolved per coin) | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm | Not resolved without other evidence |
| Brass, 1963–1981 | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| 1982 (brass or copper-plated zinc; not resolved without weighing) | Not resolved | 19.05 mm | Not resolved without other evidence |
| Copper-plated zinc, 1983–2008 | 2.5 g | 19.05 mm | 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper |
Issue pages
Reviewed issue pages for this series are on the way. Meanwhile, look up any covered date and mint mark.
Sources
- United States Mint — Historic coin production — Lincoln cent composition and weight history (1959–2008 alloy changes: bronze, brass, copper-plated zinc). Accessed 2026-10-26.
- United States Mint — Circulating coins production — Circulating production tables by year and facility, 1-cent rows (Philadelphia/no mark and Denver). Accessed 2026-10-26.