2009 marked two events in the history of the fourteenth president and the coin that commemorates him. It was the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth and the centennial of the Lincoln one-cent coin.
To celebrate the double centennials, a series of coins was released with four different stages of Honest Abe’s life depicted on the reverse. They chronicled his birth and childhood in Kentucky, his formative years in Indiana, his professional life as a lawyer in Illinois, and his presidency. The familiar bust of Lincoln that graced the coin’s face (obverse) remained, essentially unchanged from the original design of 1901.
Besides circulation coins of copper-plated zinc, collector’s sets with the original 95% copper composition were also made at the San Francisco Mint.
The first coin was released on February 12, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, with the remaining designs issued roughly every three months thereafter.
Type 1 – The Early Childhood Years (1809-1816)
If asked, most people would tell you Lincoln was from Illinois, but he was born in Kentucky and spent his first seven years living there in a rustic log cabin. Unlike most idealized depictions of Abe’s log cabin home, a design by Mint designer Richard Masters was chosen that portrays a much more rustic dwelling that was typical of hand-built cabins of the time.
Type 2 – The Formative Years (1816-1830)
Before settling in Illinois, Lincoln spent his youth in Indiana. There he worked as a rail-splitter and took an interest in academics. He was largely self-taught since his remote area only saw itinerant teachers pass through occasionally.
Mint artist Charles Vickers designed and sculpted a young Lincoln reading a book while sitting on a log during a work break.
Type 3 – Lincoln’s Professional Life (1830-1861)
Lincoln finally made it to Illinois in 1830. After an unpromising venture in the mercantile business and a brief stint in the Illinois Militia, young Abe dipped his toe in local politics, unsuccessfully at first. He was elected to the Illinois legislature 1834 and by 1836 he had taught himself enough law to pass the state bar exam. He practiced law and built a reputation as a strong opponent of extending slavery to new states, eventually leading to his run for President in 1860.
The design chosen for this chapter of Lincoln’s life was designed by Joel Iskowitz and engraved by Mint sculptor Don Everhart. It portrays the old Illinois state capitol where Lincoln gave his “House Divided” speech, a turning point in his political career.
Type 4 – Lincoln’s Presidency (1861-1865)
Lincoln was president during the toughest times in our nation’s history. And we all know its tragic conclusion. But rather than re-hashing well-chronicled events, the Mint chose a subject not widely associated with Lincoln’s presidency—the construction of the US Capitol dome.
Designed by Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by Mint engraver Joseph Menna, the coin’s reverse depicts the half-finished dome as it was at Lincoln’s first inauguration in March 1861. It was a particularly symbolic choice given that Lincoln worked tirelessly to keep the nation unified under one set of laws and government.
Proofs and Collectors’ Editions
Proofs of the Lincoln Bicentennial cent series were struck in San Francisco and bear an “S” mint mark (coins for circulation were made in Philadelphia and Denver). They were made with the original 95% copper composition that had been used in cent coins until 1982.
The Mint also issued satin-finish 95% copper Mint Sets from Denver and Philadelphia.
While both proof and Mint Set coins had comparatively low mintages, they are not considered rare. They are, though, highly collectible and top-graded PR-70 coins are becoming harder to find.
Lincoln Bicentennial Cent Values
Nearly 2 billion Lincoln Bicentennial cents were released for circulation, so there are still plenty out there. In circulated condition, they’re only worth face value. Brilliant Uncirculated coins bring around 20¢, but Mint State coins can be worth considerably more, as are Proof and Mint Set coins in top condition. If you come across one of the many die error coins, the value goes up, sometimes considerably.
Here are the records for regular-strike and collector coins according to PCGS Coin Facts. While the prices are high, most are one-time sales and comparable coins have sold for much less.
- Early Childhood Years
Some die doubling has been noted, most visibly on the ends of the logs on the corner of the cabin. The doubling is subtle and requires 5-10x magnification to see, but if you find one in good condition, it can bring several dollars. Over 600 million of this design were released for circulation, so chances of finding one are good. The record is $1,203 for an MS-67 coin in 2012 on eBay. - Formative Years
This design has the most die varieties of the series, most notable on the fingers of Lincoln’s hand. Some varieties appear as shadows and others appear to show additional fingers. Doubled die Philadelphia coins have been found as well as at least one San Francisco bronze proof. Uncirculated coins range from a few dollars to as much as $400. The record was set in 2015 when an MS-68 coin was auctioned for $1,880. - Professional Life
The record for this coin was set in a 2013 auction when an MS-67 sample went for $2,499. - Presidency
The lowest mintage of the Lincoln Bicentennial cents (325 million), the record sale for this design was in 2016 when an MS-67 Denver cent sold for $4,700 through Heritage Auctions. - Proof and Mint Set Coins
Individual proof coin records for perfect PR-70 examples are in the $400 range, and Mint Set coins in top grades range from $60-300.
Collecting Lincoln Cents
Many coin enthusiasts start their collections with Lincoln cents. It can be a life-long pursuit as collections are expanded and upgraded, often resulting in very valuable portfolios.
To assist you in collecting Lincoln cents, we’ll continue with future articles about key dates to look for, so visit our blog pages frequently.
