Lincoln Cents, Memorial Reverse Mintage

July 13, 2010Posted inCents

After fifty years of production and widespread circulation, the reverse design of the Lincoln Cent was changed. The redesign coincided with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The new reverse would feature a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial by Frank Gasparro. The obverse of the coin would continue to feature the bust of Lincoln, originally designed by Victor D. Brenner.

Lincoln Memorial Cent

The Lincoln Memorial Cent series generally had higher mintage levels for individual issues than the prior Lincoln Wheat Cents. For this reason, the “wheaties” are generally saved from circulation while the coins displaying the Memorial reverse are left to circulate. However, there are some lower mintage coins produced at the San Francisco Mint.

Lincoln Cents, Wheat Reverse Mintage

July 1, 2010Posted inCents

The Lincoln Cent was introduced in 1909 to coincide with the centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The coins featured the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a pair of wheat ears on the reverse, as designed by Victor D. Brenner. This reverse design was used from 1909 to 1958. The obverse design remains in use today.

Lincoln Wheat Cent

Lincoln Cents are highly popular with collectors due to the accessibility of the series. Many collectors began in their youth by filling coin books with Wheat Cents taken from circulation. For collectors with bigger budgets, the series includes some well known key dates and can be a challenge to assemble in high grades with full red coins.