Lincoln Cent 1c Memorial Reverse, Zinc, 1982-2008 MS RB [Type]

Designer: Obverse: Victor D. Brenner; Reverse: Frank Gasparro.

Key to Collecting: In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Treasury Department officials were concerned with the rising price of copper and feared that cents might be hoarded for their metallic content. Partway through 1982, a change was made to a planchet consisting of zinc coated with copper available at a lower cost than bronze. These coins are common in circulation and Mint State grades. For type-set purposes, you are home free, or almost free, with this coin. Admittedly, you do have to pay face value, or perhaps even the 20¢ suggested by the Red Book if you buy one from a dealer (handling and packaging, you know—still not much profit there). You can indulge yourself and keep looking until you find a superb gem MS-70. Although it seems like only yesterday that this type made its appearance, it was over three decades ago. From 1982 until the Memorial Reverse’s exit from the numismatic stage in 2008, many different dates, mintmarks, and curious varieties were produced. Indeed, a full set of everything listed in the Red Book would comprise nearly 100 coins! Among these, we have the 1982 Large Date and Small Date; the interesting Proof 1990, which should have had an S mintmark, but someone forgot to put it on the die; several dies with doubling; and varieties that differ from each other in the spacing between the A and M in AMERICA.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: On the obverse, look for sharp hair details in the portrait and an absence of tiny marks on the shoulder. On the reverse, look for full details of the building steps and the tiny Lincoln statue.

Proof Coins: Common. Usually well struck.