What is a Memorial Reverse Penny?

Memorial Reverse Penny is a type of penny with a Lincoln Memorial design on its reverse side.

It was first introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln.

Since then, the Memorial Reverse Penny has become a popular collectible item among numismatists and history enthusiasts.

The Memorial Reverse Penny replaced the Wheat Penny, which has been circulating since 1909.

The design of the Memorial Reverse Penny features the Lincoln Memorial building, which is located in Washington, D.C.

The building was constructed to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

The design of the Memorial Reverse Penny has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1959, making it a unique and recognizable coin.

What is a Memorial Reverse Penny?

The Lincoln penny, also known as the one-cent coin, was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

The original design featured the words “ONE CENT” on the back, with two stalks of wheat framing the text. This design was used until 1958.

In 1959, the United States Mint updated the penny design to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

The new design featured the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side of the coin, which Frank Gasparro, an assistant engraver at the Mint, created.

The Lincoln Memorial, located in Washington, D.C., was chosen as the new penny’s design because it symbolized national unity and was a tribute to Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War.

The design features a frontal view of the Memorial with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” above and “ONE CENT” below.

The Memorial Reverse design was used on the penny until 2008 when it was replaced by a new design featuring a shield on the reverse side.

The Lincoln penny remains a popular coin among collectors, and the Memorial Reverse design is still widely recognized and admired for its historical significance.

Design and Features of the Memorial Reverse Penny

The Memorial Reverse Penny is a type of U.S. penny introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

The design features the Lincoln Memorial building on the reverse side of the coin, replacing the previous design of wheat stalks used since 1909.

The Memorial Reverse Penny has a diameter of 19.05mm and a thickness of 1.55mm.

It is composed of a copper-plated zinc alloy with a weight of 2.5 grams.

The obverse side of the coin features a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side of the Memorial Reverse Penny is a highly detailed and intricate design.

It features a view of the Memorial building from the front, with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE CENT” inscribed around the top and bottom of the image, respectively.

The Memorial Reverse Penny has undergone several changes over the years. In 1982, the coin’s composition was changed from 95% copper and 5% zinc to a copper-plated zinc alloy.

This change was made in response to rising copper prices, making producing the coin more expensive.

In 2009, a new design was introduced to commemorate the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. This design featured a portrait of Lincoln on the obverse side of the coin, depicting the Lincoln log cabin on the reverse side.

However, the Memorial Reverse Penny remains a popular and iconic design still circulating today.

Significance of the Memorial Reverse Penny

The Memorial Reverse Penny is a significant coin in the history of the United States.

It was first introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and replace the Wheat Penny’s previous design.

The new design, created by Frank Gasparro, featured a frontal view of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side of the coin.

The obverse side remained the same, featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

The Memorial Reverse Penny quickly became popular among collectors and the general public, with millions of coins produced yearly until its discontinuation in 2008.

The coin’s popularity can be attributed to its unique design and the historical significance of Abraham Lincoln.

In addition to its popularity, the Memorial Reverse Penny has significant value among collectors.

The value of a Memorial Reverse Penny depends on several factors, including its condition, rarity, and historical significance.

Overall, the Memorial Reverse Penny holds a special place in the history of American coinage.

Its unique design and historical significance make it valuable to any collection.

Variations and Minting Errors

The Memorial Reverse penny has been in production since 1959, and over the years, there have been several variations and minting errors.

Here are some of the most notable ones:

• Off-Metal or Wrong Planchet Errors
  • These rare errors happen when a coin is struck on a planchet intended for another coin.
    • For example, a Lincoln cent design was struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet. These errors are worth about $200 and up.
• Doubled Dies
  • A doubled die error occurs when the coin is struck with a die engraved with a doubled image.
  • This can happen when the die is not aligned correctly during minting. Some famous doubled die errors include the 1972 and 1983 Lincoln cents.
• Die Breaks and Cuds
  • A die break occurs when a piece of the die breaks off, resulting in a raised lump on the coin’s surface.
  • A cud error happens when part of the design is missing due to a broken die. Both of these errors can add value to a coin, depending on the severity and rarity of the error.
• Off-Center Strikes
  • An off-center strike happens when the coin is not centered correctly on the dies during minting.
  • This can result in a portion of the design being cut off or a blank space on the coin’s edge.
  • An off-center strike’s value depends on the error’s degree and the rarity.
• Varieties
  • Several varieties of the Memorial Reverse penny have existed over the years.
    • For example, in 1974, a limited number of aluminum pennies were minted, and in 1982, the penny’s composition changed from copper to zinc.
  • Other notable varieties include 1995 doubled die obverse and the 1999 Wide AM reverse.

It’s important to note that not every penny with an error or variety is valuable.

The value of a coin depends on several factors, including the rarity, the severity of the error, and the condition of the coin.

Collectors should always research and consult a professional before purchasing or selling a coin.

Value and Collectibility of the Memorial Reverse Penny

The Memorial Reverse Penny, also known as the Lincoln Cent Memorial Reverse, is a highly collectible coin among numismatists.

The coin was first minted in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and features the Lincoln Memorial building on the reverse side.

The value of a Memorial Reverse Penny can vary greatly depending on its condition, rarity, and year of minting.

According to the Greysheet Catalog, which provides pricing information for coins, a 1959 Memorial Reverse Penny in uncirculated condition can be worth up to $1.50, while a 1970-S small-date Memorial Reverse Penny in MS-67 condition can be worth up to $10,000.

Memorial Reverse Pennies from the 1950s and 1960s tend to be more valuable than those from later years due to their lower mintages and higher demand among collectors.

However, rare varieties from later years, such as the 1995 double-die Memorial Reverse Penny, can also command high prices.

Collectors often look for specific characteristics when adding Memorial Reverse Pennies to their collections, such as full strikes, luster, and absence of damage or wear.

Proof versions of the coin, specially minted for collectors and have a mirror-like finish, are also highly sought after.

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