Lincoln Memorial Pennies (1959-2008)
The final pennies were struck for circulation on November 12, 2025, at the Philadelphia Mint. With the cent denomination retired, collector interest has only grown for earlier issues like Memorial pennies!
Debuting in 1959 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Lincoln Memorial pennies replaced the beloved Wheat penny design. The new reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, featured an image of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., marking the first time a building appeared on a circulating U.S. coin. The Lincoln Memorial Cent remained in production for nearly 50 years, until it was retired in 2008 to make way for Bicentennial pennies and, later, Shield pennies. Shop Memorial reverse pennies at Littleton Coin by year, mint mark and more – all with a 45-day Money Back Guarantee of Satisfaction!
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Lincoln Memorial cents were primarily composed of copper and zinc until 1982, when rising metal costs prompted a major change. The U.S. Mint shifted to a zinc core of with a thin copper plating to retain the traditional color while reducing costs. As a result, 1982 is a transitional year, with both copper and zinc versions minted – a unique feature for collectors. Lincoln Memorial cent zinc coins are typically distinguished by their lighter weight, as the copper-core cents are about 20% heavier. The specific compositions are as follows:
- 1959-1962: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
- 1962-1982: 95% copper, 5% zinc.
- 1982-2008: 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper
Over the years, pennies with the Lincoln Memorial reverse saw a variety of small design tweaks, mint errors and rare varieties, including the famous 1969-S and 1972 Doubled Die Obverses. These small but fascinating differences have helped Lincoln Memorial pennies maintain their popularity with collectors long after they were last struck.
