The Ultimate Guide to Collecting Lincoln Cents: 1909 to Present

The Lincoln Cent stands as America’s longest-running coin design, spanning from 1909 to the present day. For over a century, this humble copper coin has chronicled American history, survived two world wars, weathered economic depressions, and adapted to changing times. This comprehensive guide explores everything collectors need to know about building a meaningful Lincoln Cent collection.

A Brief History of the Lincoln Cent

The Lincoln Cent debuted on August 2, 1909—the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. President Theodore Roosevelt had championed American coinage redesign, and the new cent honored the sixteenth president with an unprecedented portrait on circulating currency. No president had previously appeared on a regular-issue US coin.

Victor David Brenner designed both sides of the original coin. His obverse portrait proved so successful that it remains essentially unchanged today. The reverse featured two wheat stalks framing the denomination—the “Wheat Cent” design that collectors prize highly.

The design evolved significantly in 1959 when the Lincoln Memorial replaced the wheat stalks for the sesquicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. This design continued until 2009, when four special reverse designs commemorated the Lincoln bicentennial. Since 2010, the Union Shield reverse has graced the denomination.

Composition changes also mark the series. Original cents contained 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc. Wartime 1943 cents were struck in zinc-coated steel to conserve copper. Post-war cents returned to bronze until 1982, when rising copper prices forced a switch to copper-plated zinc—the composition still used today.

Building Your Collection: Different Approaches

Lincoln Cents offer collecting opportunities at every budget level. Understanding different approaches helps focus your efforts and resources effectively.

Complete Date and Mint Mark Sets

The traditional approach collects one cent from each year and mint facility. A complete set from 1909 to present encompasses several hundred different coins, though most dates remain affordable in circulated grades.

Key dates present the major challenges. The 1909-S VDB, with its designer’s initials on the reverse, commands prices from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on grade. The 1914-D, 1922 plain (no mint mark), and 1931-S also carry significant premiums.

Many collectors build their sets in stages, acquiring common dates first, then saving for key issues. This systematic approach prevents frustration and demonstrates visible progress along the way.

Type Collecting

Type collectors seek representative examples of each major design variation rather than every date. A Lincoln Cent type set might include one Wheat Cent, one Memorial Cent, examples of the 2009 bicentennial reverses, and a Shield Cent—six to eight coins representing the series’ evolution.

This approach provides historical overview affordably while allowing higher-grade examples than date collecting typically permits. Type collectors often seek gem or near-gem examples to showcase each design at its finest.

Variety Collecting

Die varieties add depth to Lincoln Cent collecting. Doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and other variations create collecting subspecialties. The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse ranks among numismatics’ most famous varieties, with dramatic doubling visible to the naked eye.

Other significant varieties include the 1972 Doubled Die, 1983 Doubled Die Reverse, and numerous repunched mint marks throughout the series. Cherrypicking—searching rolls and accumulations for unrecognized varieties—combines treasure hunting with systematic collecting.

Error Collecting

Production errors create unique collectibles. Off-center strikes, wrong planchet errors, die breaks, and other anomalies attract dedicated specialists. Lincoln Cents, produced in enormous quantities, generate substantial error populations.

Some errors command significant premiums—a cent struck on a dime planchet, for example. Others remain affordable curiosities. Error collecting rewards knowledge; understanding production processes helps identify genuine errors and avoid altered coins.

Key Dates and Their Stories

Certain Lincoln Cents command exceptional attention and prices. Understanding their backgrounds enhances appreciation and guides acquisition priorities.

1909-S VDB

Victor David Brenner’s initials appeared prominently on the reverse of earliest 1909 cents. Public outcry deemed the initials too conspicuous—essentially free advertising for the designer. The Mint removed the initials after minimal production.

Only 484,000 were struck before the change, and many circulated heavily. Surviving examples in all grades command strong premiums. This remains the series’ most recognized key date.

1914-D

Denver’s 1914 cent production totaled just 1,193,000—the lowest mintage among regular-issue Wheat Cents from any mint. Circulated examples start in the hundreds of dollars; uncirculated specimens reach well into four figures.

Counterfeits and alterations plague this date. Many 1944-D cents have been modified to appear as 1914-D. Authentication proves essential for any significant purchase.

1922 Plain

Denver produced all 1922 cents; no Philadelphia examples exist. However, worn dies occasionally produced cents with weak or missing mint marks. The “1922 Plain” variety—actually 1922-D with a completely obliterated mint mark—commands substantial premiums.

Several die states exist, from weak D to completely absent mint mark. True “plain” examples show specific die characteristics; mere weakness doesn’t qualify. Reference books document diagnostic features for accurate attribution.

1931-S

Depression-era mintages dropped dramatically, and San Francisco’s 1931 output of 866,000 ranks among the series’ lowest. Unlike some keys, this date wasn’t recognized as scarce initially, so many circulated before collectors noticed.

The 1931-S remains affordable in lower circulated grades—an accessible key for many collectors. Higher grades prove challenging and expensive.

1943 Bronze and 1944 Steel

Wartime compositions created famous transitional errors. A handful of 1943 cents were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets; perhaps 20-30 genuine examples exist. These regularly sell for six figures.

Conversely, a few 1944 cents were struck on zinc-coated steel planchets remaining from 1943 production. These are similarly rare and valuable.

Both dates attract extensive counterfeiting. The 1943 bronze is commonly faked by copper-plating genuine steel cents or altering 1948 cents. Authentication proves absolutely essential.

1955 Doubled Die Obverse

Perhaps no variety is more famous than the 1955 DDO, with dramatic doubling visible on the date and lettering without magnification. Approximately 20,000-24,000 examples entered circulation; survivors remain surprisingly available, though prices have risen substantially.

The bold doubling made this variety popular immediately upon release. Collectors pulled many from circulation, ensuring ample supply for today’s market. Still, prices in all grades reflect sustained demand.

Grading Lincoln Cents

Understanding grading helps evaluate purchases and set realistic goals for collection quality.

Wear Patterns

Lincoln’s cheekbone shows wear first, followed by his jaw and hair above the ear. On wheat reverses, the wheat lines wear initially; on memorial reverses, the building’s upper columns and steps show friction early.

Compare coins against published grading standards and certified examples to calibrate your eye. Consistent grading takes practice.

Strike Quality

Lincoln Cents vary significantly in strike quality. Well-struck examples show full hair detail and sharp wheat lines or memorial columns. Weakly struck coins may lack these details even in high grades.

Strike quality particularly affects mint state valuations. A sharply struck MS-65 commands more than a weakly struck example at the same grade. Learning to evaluate strike improves purchasing decisions.

Color Designations

Copper coins receive color designations in mint state grades. “Red” (RD) denotes original mint luster color. “Brown” (BN) indicates natural toning. “Red and Brown” (RB) falls between.

Red examples typically command premiums over equivalent brown coins. Color should appear natural; artificial cleaning or recoloring reduces value significantly.

Storage and Preservation

Proper storage maintains condition and protects your investment.

Folders and Albums

Traditional blue folders display collections affordably and accessibly. Albums with sliding inserts protect better while allowing viewing. Both work well for circulated collections.

Ensure any holder uses archival, PVC-free materials. Damaging plasticizers can ruin coins over time.

Individual Holders

Valuable individual coins merit separate protection. 2×2 flips, capsules, and slabs all protect single specimens. Again, verify archival quality.

Environmental Considerations

Copper reacts readily with environmental pollutants. Store collections in stable, low-humidity environments away from paper, cardboard, and other reactive materials. Climate control prevents damaging temperature swings.

Building a Collection Today

Start with achievable goals and expand as experience and budget allow. Circulated examples of most dates cost under a dollar; you can build substantial collections modestly.

Consider these starting points:

Memorial Cents 1959-2008: This fifty-year run remains entirely affordable in circulated grades. Finding coins in change still works for recent dates.

Wheat Cents 1940-1958: Common dates abound in dealer junk boxes. Building this subset costs little and teaches grading fundamentals.

Gem Type Set: Acquire one beautiful example of each design type. Focus on quality over quantity.

As your collection grows, pursue earlier dates and keys systematically. Set spending limits for acquisitions and maintain want lists to organize priorities.

The Lincoln Cent’s accessibility ensures lifelong collecting enjoyment. From first-year issues to current production, the series documents over a century of American life on copper. Whatever your budget or interest level, the Lincoln Cent welcomes you.