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Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959–1981 Copper-Alloy)

Lincoln Memorial Penny 1959–1981: Major Varieties and Mint Errors

Lincoln Memorial Penny: 1959–1981 Copper-Alloy Era

Guide dates: 1959–1981

Design

Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln portrait remained on the obverse. Frank Gasparro designed the reverse showing the Lincoln Memorial, with a tiny seated Lincoln visible between the columns. The design debuted in 1959 and continued through 2008. Philadelphia circulation strikes normally have no mintmark; Denver uses D. San Francisco circulation cents were struck through 1974, while later S-mint cents are proofs.

Key design details

Scope and attribution standard

This review draft covers the major copper-alloy Memorial-cent varieties dated 1959–1981 specifically emphasized by PCGS, with PCGS CoinFacts and NGC VarietyPlus attribution cross-checks. Ordinary dates and minor specialist dies are omitted. Repeatable die varieties are separated from one-off striking and planchet errors. No source photographs are reproduced. [1][3][4]

What is not covered: Ordinary dates, most repunched mintmarks, minor doubled dies and specialist-only die stages are outside this major-variety guide. Their omission does not mean no cataloged specialist varieties exist for those dates.

About the diagrams: These are original CoinHunt inspection schematics, not coin photographs. The rings identify the actual date, mintmark, legend, ear, FG, AM or physical-error area named in each entry.

Varieties

Quick jump: 1960 · 1966 · 1969 · 1970 · 1972 · 1979 · 1981

1960

1960 Small Date and Large Date

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Compare the normal date styles. On the Small Date, the top of the 9 sits closer to the height of the 1, the tops of the 1, 9 and 6 align more evenly, and the 0 looks compact and round. On the Large Date, the 9 rises noticeably higher and the 0 is taller and more elongated. Date size alone is not a doubled die. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts modern Lincoln cents; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1960 Small Date and Large Date LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT date Original variety map First check: 9 height and 0 shape COMPARE DIGIT SHAPES

1960-D

1960-D Small Date and Large Date

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Denver cents also occur with Small Date and Large Date obverses. On the Small Date, the 9 is closer in height to the 1 and the 0 is compact and round; the Large Date has a taller 9 and a more elongated 0. Identify the date style first, then confirm the D is original and correctly positioned. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts modern Lincoln cents; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1960-D Small Date and Large Date LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT date mint Original variety map First check: date style DATE STYLE + ORIGINAL MINTMARK

1960-D Small Date Over Large Date (FS-101)

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Look for remnants of the Large Date beneath the Small Date, especially doubled contours around the numerals. This is an overlapping hub design, not merely a normal Small Date or shelf-like machine doubling. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS Varieties, Errors & More; PCGS CoinFacts.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1960-D Small Date Over Large Date (FS-101) LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT date mint Original variety map First check: date style DATE STYLE + ORIGINAL MINTMARK

1966

1966 DDR (FS-801)

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Inspect ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and Frank Gasparro’s FG initials for strong, raised reverse doubling. Confirm several devices because die deterioration can thicken individual letters. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS Varieties, Errors & More; PCGS CoinFacts.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1966 DDR (FS-801) UNITED STATES OF AMERICAONE CENTFG INSPECT reverse Original variety map First check: raised lettering RAISED DOUBLING—not a flat shelf

1969-S

1969-S DDO (FS-101)

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Look for bold, rounded Class I doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and the date. The separately punched S mintmark is not doubled with the hub design. Counterfeits and altered dates require expert authentication. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts; PCGS Lincoln Cent Rarities.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1969-S DDO (FS-101) LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT obverse Original variety map First check: raised separation RAISED DOUBLING—not a flat shelf

1970-S

1970-S Small Date

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

The scarce Small Date has a weak LIBERTY and a level date with a delicate 7. Compare the complete date style to a trusted reference; wear or polishing cannot turn a Large Date into the recognized Small Date. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1970-S Small Date LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT date mint Original variety map First check: date style DATE STYLE + ORIGINAL MINTMARK

1970-S Large Date DDO (FS-101)

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Inspect IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and the date for raised clockwise doubling. This variety uses the Large Date. The S was punched after hubbing and should not share the doubled-die spread. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS Lincoln Cent Rarities.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1970-S Large Date DDO (FS-101) LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT obverse Original variety map First check: raised separation RAISED DOUBLING—not a flat shelf

1972

1972 DDO Die 1 (FS-101)

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Look for dramatic raised doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and the date. Several 1972 doubled-die obverses are cataloged, but Die 1 is the strongest, most widely collected naked-eye variety and the only one treated as the marquee entry here. Match its direction and complete die markers. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS Varieties, Errors & More; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1972 DDO Die 1 (FS-101) LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT obverse Original variety map First check: raised separation RAISED DOUBLING—not a flat shelf

1979-S

1979-S Proof Type 2 Clear S

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

On the Type 2 proof, the S mintmark is clearer and more open than the filled Type 1. It must be a genuine proof: look for mirrored fields, frosted or sharply defined devices, a square proof rim and the expected proof strike—not circulation wear, plating or polish. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1979-S Proof Type 2 Clear S LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT mint Original variety map First check: genuine proof surfaces GENUINE PROOF REQUIRED

1981-S

1981-S Proof Type 2 Clear S

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

The Type 2 proof has a well-defined S with distinct openings, unlike the more filled Type 1. It must be a genuine proof with mirrored fields, sharp devices and a square proof rim; a polished business strike is not eligible. [source]

Catalog references: PCGS CoinFacts; NGC VarietyPlus.

CoinHunt original inspection map: 1981-S Proof Type 2 Clear S LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT mint Original variety map First check: genuine proof surfaces GENUINE PROOF REQUIRED

Errors

The entries below are mint errors, not repeatable hub or mintmark varieties. Each must be authenticated from the physical evidence on the individual coin.

Off-center Strike

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

A genuine off-center strike has a blank crescent and corresponding loss of design from a planchet that was not centered between the dies. The remaining design should show normal Mint metal flow. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Off-center Strike LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT rim Original error map First check: rim and metal flow FOLLOW MINT METAL FLOW

Broadstrike

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

The coin was struck without full collar restraint and spread beyond normal diameter. Look for an expanded, unusually flat perimeter with a complete central design. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Broadstrike LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT rim Original error map First check: rim and metal flow FOLLOW MINT METAL FLOW

Double or Multiple Strike

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Two or more press strikes created overlapping raised designs with coherent coining geometry. Vise damage and ordinary impacts do not reproduce Mint metal flow. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Double or Multiple Strike LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT field Original error map First check: relief and metal flow CONFIRM PHYSICAL RELIEF

Brockage

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

A previously struck coin impressed a recessed, mirror-image design into the next planchet. The transferred image must be incuse and reversed. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Brockage LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT field Original error map First check: relief and metal flow CONFIRM PHYSICAL RELIEF

Clipped Planchet

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

A genuine clip comes from an incomplete blank and shows compatible metal flow, often with a weakened rim opposite the missing arc—the Blakesley effect. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Clipped Planchet LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT edge Original error map First check: opposite-rim weakness CHECK OPPOSITE RIM

Lamination or Split Planchet

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

An alloy flaw caused the planchet metal to peel or separate. Distinguish true internal metal separation from corrosion, gouging and damage. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Lamination or Split Planchet LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT field Original error map First check: relief and metal flow CONFIRM PHYSICAL RELIEF

Struck-through

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

Foreign material between a die and planchet left a recessed texture or missing design. A retained struck-through still holds the object; most preserve only its impression. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Struck-through LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT field Original error map First check: relief and metal flow CONFIRM PHYSICAL RELIEF

Wrong-planchet or Off-metal Strike

Applicable date(s): 1959–1981

Do You Have One? What To Look For:

The cent design was struck on a planchet intended for another coin. Diameter, weight, composition, edge and the way the design fits must all agree. [6]

CoinHunt original inspection map: Wrong-planchet or Off-metal Strike LIBERTYDATEMINT INSPECT weight Original error map First check: calibrated weight WEIGH—DO NOT JUDGE BY COLOR

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Sources

  1. PCGS: Varieties, Errors, & More. Major Memorial-cent variety scope and diagnostics. Accessed September 26, 2026.
  2. PCGS: Lincoln Cent Rarities—1970-S Large Date DDO. Diagnostics for rare 1969-S and 1970-S doubled dies. Accessed September 26, 2026.
  3. PCGS CoinFacts: Lincoln Cent, Modern. Series catalog and attribution records.
  4. NGC VarietyPlus: Lincoln Cents, Memorial Reverse. Recognized variety catalog and FS cross-references.
  5. NGC Coin Explorer: Lincoln Cents, Memorial Reverse. Series composition and date-style overview.
  6. CONECA: Glossary of Error-Variety Terms. Definitions for mint-error and die-variety terminology.

Editorial boundary: PCGS, NGC and CONECA are credited for cataloging and diagnostic research. CoinHunt does not reproduce their photographs. All SVG inspection maps are original educational schematics and are not substitutes for certified comparison images.

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