Blog

  • Key and Rare Date Memorial Lincoln Cents

    9:22 PM PST, 6/13/2008

    Although most Memorial Lincoln Cents (those minted 1959-present) survive in large numbers in uncirculated condition, the series does have its rarities, including at least one trophy coin rarity. All of the rarities, however, are errors or varieties. None of the normal dates and mintmarks are of exceptional value in all uncirculated grades. The undisputed king of the Memorial series is the 1969-S double die. Only a handful of this prominent double die exist, primarily because the U.S. Mint learned of the error in time to prevent most from reaching circulation. This coin will sell for over $100,000 in gem condition. Even a slightly circulated coin is worth tens of thousands of dollars. If the 1969-S double die is beyond one's reach, one can consider the 1970-S double die obverse coin which is generally less than $5,000 in choice uncirculated. A more affordable error coin is the 1990 No S Proof cent. This is valued at $3,000 in the 1969 Red Book. The S mintmark is not found on such otherwise common proof cents. Only a small number escaped the mint in such a state. Other double dies round out most of the rest of the Memorial rarities, including the 1971-S double die obverse, the 1983 double die obverse, the 1984 doubled ear, and the 1995 double die obverse. These vary in price from under $100 to over $1,000 depending on condition. Deserving special recognition is the famous 1972 double die obverse, which started the double die hunt in the Memorial series, and created a widespread desire among Memorial collectors to add to their collections as many errors and varieties as possible. The year 1960 saw cents made with both large and small dates, leading to the 1960-D large over small date. This great variety is only a few hundred dollars, even in gem condition. The year 1970 also saw large and small dates at the San Francisco ("S") mint, with the small date available in gem red condition for under $100. The "AM" in America on a number of dates in the 1990's and 2000 resulted in a number of variety coins, dubbed "close" and "wide" AM. In the close AM, the A and M virtually touch. In the wide, the letters are more apart. The most valuable of these are the 1992-D Close AM and the 1999 wide AM. These valuable varieties were caused by using proof dies on a small number of mint state strikings. Other errors and varieties of Memorial Lincoln's abound. Maybe one of them will catch on in popularity and gain a hefty price tag. For now, they add to the enjoyment of the series. Next, I will discuss the condition rarities of this series.