Lincoln Memorial Cent, Zinc (1983-2008) : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cent, sometimes referred to by coin collectors as the “Zincoln“, was a one-cent coin issued by the United States Mint from 1982 to 2008. The coin is artistically similar to the copper version issued from 1959-1982 but was struck with increasingly shallower relief as the years progressed. Additionally, minor changes were made to the design to accommodate the lighter zinc planchets.

Cent’s Copper Composition Overdue for Change

Concerns regarding the cost of copper cent planchets arose during the coin shortage of the 1960s and became increasingly acute in the early ’70s when war demand and the lifting of price controls saw a broader commodities boom that increased prices across the board. With the transition from silver to clad coinage in the mid-’60s, demand for all denominations of United States coins had reached annual levels never before seen. The Federal Government was concerned about the increased cost of producing the one-cent coin and began to look for cheaper alternatives.

In 1974, aluminum was considered as a replacement but was rejected. After copper prices softened midway through 1974, Congress focused its attention on more pressing coinage matters – like the Bicentennial Coin Program and creating a small dollar coin that might circulate. The Bicentennial coins of 1975 and 1976 were released to great fanfare and public support, but the Susan B. Anthony Dollar was not. In 1981, President Reagan’s Treasury Department began a series of major initiatives at the Mint. Among the early actions were the shelving of the Susan B. Anthony Dollar coin program, the reintroduction of the commemorative coin program, and the change in composition of the Lincoln Cent.

Collecting Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cents

The Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cent is a common coin type, and all Philadelphia and Denver issues can be found in circulation. With the Mint’s annual Uncirculated Coin Sets and bag and roll quantities of coins, every issue in the series survives in Mint State at numbers in the hundreds of thousands to a million or more. Because of this, collectors are most interested in acquiring Mint State examples, particularly examples that retain their original “brassy” color.

Several collectible Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cent varieties are enumerated in the Cherrypicker’s Guide, the most sought after being the 1984 Doubled Die Obverse, the 1988 and 1988-D, Reverse of ’89, the 1992 and 1992-D “Close AM,” the 1995 Doubled Die, and the 1998 “Wide AM”. For Proofs, the 1990 “No S,” and the 1998-S and 1999-S “Close AM” are in high demand.

The Zinc Cent Era Draws to a Close

The final Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cents were issued in 2008. In 2009, the Mint commemorated the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Abraham Lincoln with a four-coin series of cents representing different periods in the President’s life. Starting in 2010, the Lincoln Cent was issued with a new design depicting a shield with ONE CENT emblazoned on a ribbon. Given that in 1909, 1¢ had the purchasing power of 32¢ in 2024 money, it is quite likely that the Lincoln Shield Cent will be the last design of the historic denomination that traces its circulation in America back to the Colonial period.

In-Depth Lincoln Memorial, Zinc Cent Date Analysis by CoinWeek Notes

Design

Obverse:

A right-facing Lincoln occupies most of the obverse. At the top, inside a raised rim and above Lincoln’s head, is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. To the left of the portrait is the word LIBERTY, and to the right and slightly lower, is the date. Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco; D and S mintmarks appear below the date.

Reverse:

The reverse center has a prominent depiction of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the statue of Abraham Lincoln visible within. To the right of the Memorial’s base are designer Frank Gasparro’s initials FG. The legend UNITED STATES oF AMERICA at the top and the denomination written out as ONE CENT at the bottom form nearly a complete text circle inside the raised rim. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is placed above the Memorial, with UNUM on a separate line; centered dots are located between E and PLURIBUS and on each side of UNUM.

Edge:

The edge of the Lincoln Memorial Cent is plain or smooth, without reeding or edge lettering.

Coin Specifications

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Additional References

Bowers, Q. David. The Experts Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins. Whitman Publishing.

–. A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents. Whitman Publishing.

–. A Guide Book of United States Type Coins. Whitman Publishing.

Guth, Ron, and Jeff Garrett. United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Whitman Publishing.

Lange, David W. The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents. Zyrus Press.

Yeoman, R.S., and Kenneth Bressett (editor). The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Whitman Publishing.
 

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