ObverseReverse1974 aluminum cent from the Smithsonian.
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Coins: US

The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling 1100 of a United States dollar. Its obverse has featured the profile of President Abraham Lincoln since 1909, the centennial of his birth. more...

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Since 1959 (the sesquicentennial of Lincoln's birth), the reverse has featured the Lincoln Memorial. The coin is .75 inches in diameter.

Despite the prevalence of the common term "penny", the U.S. Mint has never actually minted a coin for which this is the official name.

History of composition

See also: History of the Lincoln cent

The cent's composition was changed in 1982 because the value of the copper in the coin started to rise above one cent. Some 1982 cents use the 97.5% zinc composition, while others used the 95% copper composition. In 1943, at the peak of World War II, cents of zinc-plated steel were made for a short time due to war demands for copper; a few (the U.S. Mint reports forty) copper cents from 1943 were produced. Following that year, salvaged ammunition shells made their way into the minting process, and it was not uncommon to see coins featuring streaks of brass or having a considerably darker finish than other issues.

During the early 1970s, the price of copper rose to a point where the penny almost contained more than one cent's worth of copper. This led the Mint to test alternate metals, including aluminum and bronze-clad steel. Aluminum was chosen, and over 1.5 million of these were struck and ready for public release before ultimately being rejected. About a dozen aluminum cents are believed to still be in the hands of collectors, although they are now considered illegal, and are subject to seizure by the Secret Service. One aluminum cent was donated to the Smithsonian Institution.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 - Choice Au - Nice Detail & Luster!1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 - Choice Au - Nice Detail & Luster! $195.00 1916 Barber Quarter 25c1916 Barber Quarter 25c $8.00
1837 Coronet Head Large Cent #Tp#1837 Coronet Head Large Cent #Tp# $15.00 1853 P Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows And Rays - Xf+ - See Pics! - (E8642)1853 P Seated Liberty Half Dollar - Arrows And Rays - Xf+ - See Pics! - (E8642) $550.00
1900-S Barber Dime Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated *48-Oe-357053-Oh1900-S Barber Dime Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated *48-Oe-357053-Oh $40.38 Was: Previous Price $47.50 1878-P 7Tf Rev 79 $1 Morgan Silver Dollar Fine Details (Cleaned) (170225)1878-P 7Tf Rev 79 $1 Morgan Silver Dollar Fine Details (Cleaned) (170225) $27.99
1890 Cc Morgan Silver Dollar1890 Cc Morgan Silver Dollar $449.00 1876 S Seated Liberty Half Dollar1876 S Seated Liberty Half Dollar $27.00
1860 +1862 +1863 Copper Nicke Indian Head Cents - Type Coins Lot - #N5581860 +1862 +1863 Copper Nicke Indian Head Cents - Type Coins Lot - #N558 $84.00 Was: Previous Price $105.00 1834 Large Cent, Small "8" Large Star. Below Wholesale!1834 Large Cent, Small "8" Large Star. Below Wholesale! $34.00
Xf 1890 Indian Head Cent Penny #Tc#Xf 1890 Indian Head Cent Penny #Tc# $12.00 Raw 1889-S Morgan S$1 Uncertified Ungraded Business Strike Silver Dollar CoinRaw 1889-S Morgan S$1 Uncertified Ungraded Business Strike Silver Dollar Coin $271.33 Was: Previous Price $294.92
$11.53 1885 O Morgan Silver Dollar Us !1885 O Morgan Silver Dollar Us ! $380.00
1939-D Washington Quarter Very Fine1939-D Washington Quarter Very Fine $9.00 Us 1834 Capped Bust 50 Cents, " Re-Engraved 5 " Rare Type, Crisp Au- Unc !Us 1834 Capped Bust 50 Cents, " Re-Engraved 5 " Rare Type, Crisp Au- Unc ! $141.32
1918 S Lincoln Cent - Au - See Pics! - (N5578)1918 S Lincoln Cent - Au - See Pics! - (N5578) $30.00 Error: 2000P Dime Nickel Size Broadstrike Railroad Rim Ec2142Error: 2000P Dime Nickel Size Broadstrike Railroad Rim Ec2142 $13.70 Was: Previous Price $16.50
Buffalo Nickel 5c, 1915-S, Key date, Pcgs Ag3Buffalo Nickel 5c, 1915-S, Key date, Pcgs Ag3 $35.00 2014 Us Mint 25C America the Beautiful Arches Nat. Park Quarters Three-Coin Set2014 Us Mint 25C America the Beautiful Arches Nat. Park Quarters Three-Coin Set $12.95
1855-S Seated Quarter - Fine1855-S Seated Quarter - Fine $145.00 Error: 1999D Nockel 80% Off-center Ec2141Error: 1999D Nockel 80% Off-center Ec2141 $20.75 Was: Previous Price $25.00
1972-S Washington Quarter Gem Proof lightly toned1972-S Washington Quarter Gem Proof lightly toned $2.00 2015 W Ngc Pf69 Uc First Day of Issue March of Dimes Proof Silver Dollar $1 Coin2015 W Ngc Pf69 Uc First Day of Issue March of Dimes Proof Silver Dollar $1 Coin $26.01
1913 Type 1 Buffalo Nickel #Th#1913 Type 1 Buffalo Nickel #Th# $13.00 Estate Find 1861-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar! #F6072Estate Find 1861-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar! #F6072 $72.00
1916-D 10C Mercury Dime Pcgs G 4 Good Denver Mint Cert81181916-D 10C Mercury Dime Pcgs G 4 Good Denver Mint Cert8118 $745.00 Coin United States One Cent 1936 BronzeCoin United States One Cent 1936 Bronze $1.49
Complete Collection Susan B Anthony Dollars 1979,80,81 Proof Set & Mint SetsComplete Collection Susan B Anthony Dollars 1979,80,81 Proof Set & Mint Sets $99.10 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar High Grade 40% Silver *Free Shipping*1966 Kennedy Half Dollar High Grade 40% Silver *Free Shipping* $5.40
1853 Seated Liberty Silver Dime #Tm#1853 Seated Liberty Silver Dime #Tm# $14.00 1964 Icg Pr67 Cameo Type 1 Reverse Kennedy Half Dollar! #B79381964 Icg Pr67 Cameo Type 1 Reverse Kennedy Half Dollar! #B7938 $18.00
Estate Find 1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar! #F6013Estate Find 1878 7 Tail Feathers Morgan Silver Dollar! #F6013 $36.00 1916-S 5C Buffalo Nickel Pcgs Ms 63 Uncirculated Die Clashed Neat1916-S 5C Buffalo Nickel Pcgs Ms 63 Uncirculated Die Clashed Neat $375.00
1972 Eisenhower $1 Proof Coin Mint Packed1972 Eisenhower $1 Proof Coin Mint Packed $75.00 Canadian/English colonial token coin, North America, Commerce, 1781Canadian/English colonial token coin, North America, Commerce, 1781 $200.00
Proof 1964 Licoln Memorial Cent Penny *Qw*Proof 1964 Licoln Memorial Cent Penny *Qw* $3.00 Bu 1930-D Wheat Cent Penny #Cm#Bu 1930-D Wheat Cent Penny #Cm# $21.50
1884-Cc $1 Morgan Dollar Pcgs Ms 63 Rainbow Toned Beauty Cert81271884-Cc $1 Morgan Dollar Pcgs Ms 63 Rainbow Toned Beauty Cert8127 $585.00 1927-D Lincoln Wheat Penny One 1 Cent 1c Cheap Combined Shipping1927-D Lincoln Wheat Penny One 1 Cent 1c Cheap Combined Shipping $1.20
1921 S Lincoln Cent - Full Wheat Lines/Few Marks - Au - See Pics! - (N5583)1921 S Lincoln Cent - Full Wheat Lines/Few Marks - Au - See Pics! - (N5583) $50.00 1876-Cc Seated Liberty Dime Great Deals From The Tecc Bargain Bin1876-Cc Seated Liberty Dime Great Deals From The Tecc Bargain Bin $19.00
1994-S Silver 5 Piece Proof Set Gem Deep Cameo Finish1994-S Silver 5 Piece Proof Set Gem Deep Cameo Finish $49.95 1959 D Silver Uncirculated Bu Roosevelt Dime Ten Cent Coin from Nice 10c Roll #R1959 D Silver Uncirculated Bu Roosevelt Dime Ten Cent Coin from Nice 10c Roll #R $3.95
☆Old Us Coins Estate Sale Lot ☆ Gold Silver Bullion☆ Currency☆ 50 Years Old+☆Old Us Coins Estate Sale Lot ☆ Gold Silver Bullion☆ Currency☆ 50 Years Old+ $28.99 2006 S Sacagawea $1 Ngc Pf 69 Deep Cameo2006 S Sacagawea $1 Ngc Pf 69 Deep Cameo $14.95 Was: Previous Price $29.90
1907 Indian Cent *Gem Almost Uncirculated1907 Indian Cent *Gem Almost Uncirculated $24.99 1897 O Us Barber Half Dollar 50 Cent Coins1897 O Us Barber Half Dollar 50 Cent Coins $90.92
6 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coins 1941D 1942D 1943S 1944D 1945D 1946D Circula6 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coins 1941D 1942D 1943S 1944D 1945D 1946D Circula $72.00 1910 Lincoln Cent Penny 1c Ef1910 Lincoln Cent Penny 1c Ef $8.00
1853 3 cent silver1853 3 cent silver $20.00 1942-S Liberty Walking Half Dollar 50C Ms 63 Ngc1942-S Liberty Walking Half Dollar 50C Ms 63 Ngc $71.25 Was: Previous Price $75.00
Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent Collection - Lacks 3 Coins - Whitman Album #BFlying Eagle and Indian Head Cent Collection - Lacks 3 Coins - Whitman Album #B $675.00 1912-S Barber 10C Dime Au+ Details1912-S Barber 10C Dime Au+ Details $62.99 Was: Previous Price $69.99
1959 Lincoln Memorial One Cent Coin Copper Uncirculated Penny #R1959 Lincoln Memorial One Cent Coin Copper Uncirculated Penny #R $0.99 1881s Morgan Dollar Nice Original Coin Free Shipping1881s Morgan Dollar Nice Original Coin Free Shipping $39.95
1942 P Nickel 5c Anacs Ms65 5 Steps Graded Coin1942 P Nickel 5c Anacs Ms65 5 Steps Graded Coin $21.00 1938 Ms-64 Red Pcgs Lincoln Cent1938 Ms-64 Red Pcgs Lincoln Cent $24.00
2009-S to 2016-S Proof Sacagawea Native American 8 Coin Proof Dollar Set2009-S to 2016-S Proof Sacagawea Native American 8 Coin Proof Dollar Set $60.00 1898-S Morgan Silver Dollar High Grade Rare Us Silver Coin1898-S Morgan Silver Dollar High Grade Rare Us Silver Coin $121.00
1918 D Mercury Dime - Make Us An Offer! #O55181918 D Mercury Dime - Make Us An Offer! #O5518 $26.00 1896 Indian head cent die double reverse1896 Indian head cent die double reverse $120.00
1972 double die error penny1972 double die error penny $3.00 1893 Liberty V Nickel *Qw*1893 Liberty V Nickel *Qw* $3.00
1900 Morgan Dollar - Unc - See Pics! - (N6244)1900 Morgan Dollar - Unc - See Pics! - (N6244) $90.00 1807 Draped Bust Large Cent 1C Large Fraction - Pcgs F15 - Rare Certified Coin1807 Draped Bust Large Cent 1C Large Fraction - Pcgs F15 - Rare Certified Coin $455.90 Was: Previous Price $485.00
1921 P Silver Morgan Dollar Ms63 Ngc $1 Us Mint Bullion Coin1921 P Silver Morgan Dollar Ms63 Ngc $1 Us Mint Bullion Coin $49.00 1874 Indian Head Cent Penny #Tl#1874 Indian Head Cent Penny #Tl# $14.00
1945-P Mercury Silver Dime In Au/Unc Condition J-1-151945-P Mercury Silver Dime In Au/Unc Condition J-1-15 $6.95 Walking Liberty Lot Of 10 Coins 1934-45 P,D,S Mints 90% Silver. No ReserveWalking Liberty Lot Of 10 Coins 1934-45 P,D,S Mints 90% Silver. No Reserve $46.00
1851 Half cent Xf1851 Half cent Xf $109.95 1878 Rev79 Vam-222C R6 Morgan Silver Dollar #57877 $ High Grade Rare Key Estate1878 Rev79 Vam-222C R6 Morgan Silver Dollar #57877 $ High Grade Rare Key Estate $122.22
2011 P Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Dollar $1 Pcgs Ms67 Position B2011 P Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Dollar $1 Pcgs Ms67 Position B $24.95 1863-S 50C Liberty Seated Half Dollar, Xf/Au1863-S 50C Liberty Seated Half Dollar, Xf/Au $260.00
1939-D 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Rainbow Toned Choice Uncircu1939-D 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Rainbow Toned Choice Uncircu $49.85 1985 S 25C Washington Quarter Proof Pcgs Pr70Dcam1985 S 25C Washington Quarter Proof Pcgs Pr70Dcam $2.25
1918 S Lincoln Cent - Small Marks - Xf+ - See Pics! - (N5580)1918 S Lincoln Cent - Small Marks - Xf+ - See Pics! - (N5580) $15.00 1802 1C Draped Bust Cent Pcgs Vf 30 Very Fine to Xf Us Type Coin1802 1C Draped Bust Cent Pcgs Vf 30 Very Fine to Xf Us Type Coin $745.00
Mix Lot of 10 Old U.S. Type Coin Collection with some 90% Silver *1268Mix Lot of 10 Old U.S. Type Coin Collection with some 90% Silver *1268 $5.50 1878 Rev79 Vam-222D R6 Morgan Silver Dollar #57897 $ Nice Coin $ Rare Key Estate1878 Rev79 Vam-222D R6 Morgan Silver Dollar #57897 $ Nice Coin $ Rare Key Estate $123.49
1947-S 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Choice Red Uncirculated1947-S 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Choice Red Uncirculated $5.95 1912-S 5C Liberty Nickel Pcgs Vf 25 Very Fine San Francisco Mint1912-S 5C Liberty Nickel Pcgs Vf 25 Very Fine San Francisco Mint $585.00
1956 Franklin Half Dollar Choice Uncirculted #R1956 Franklin Half Dollar Choice Uncirculted #R $16.00 1878-S Morgan Dollar Rare Date Uncirculated Us Mint Gem Pq Silver Coin Unc Ms+1878-S Morgan Dollar Rare Date Uncirculated Us Mint Gem Pq Silver Coin Unc Ms+ $115.00
1937-D Oregon Half Dollar 50C. Ms 67 by Ngc - 1274906-0131937-D Oregon Half Dollar 50C. Ms 67 by Ngc - 1274906-013 $599.00 1852 California Gold 1/4-10K?1852 California Gold 1/4-10K? $17.50
1885-O $1 Morgan Dollar Uncirculated Ngc Ms 65 632523-0061885-O $1 Morgan Dollar Uncirculated Ngc Ms 65 632523-006 $179.99 1909 Lincoln Cent Penny Vdb 1c1909 Lincoln Cent Penny Vdb 1c $8.00
2016-S Harpers Ferry Silver Proof Quarter in Archival Crystal Clear Coin Capsule2016-S Harpers Ferry Silver Proof Quarter in Archival Crystal Clear Coin Capsule $8.59 1907 indian head cent, 3 1/2 diamonds1907 indian head cent, 3 1/2 diamonds $18.00
1946 P Walking Liberty Half Dollar Ms64 Pcgs Silver Bullion Us Mint 50c Coin1946 P Walking Liberty Half Dollar Ms64 Pcgs Silver Bullion Us Mint 50c Coin $63.50 1909 S Vdb 1c Lincoln Wheat Cent Rare San Francisco Low Mintage Ngc F15 Bn1909 S Vdb 1c Lincoln Wheat Cent Rare San Francisco Low Mintage Ngc F15 Bn $619.00
1954 Franklin Half Dollar Ms-64 Ngc (Fbl)1954 Franklin Half Dollar Ms-64 Ngc (Fbl) $75.00 Gem Bu Red 1930 Lincoln Cent Free ShippingGem Bu Red 1930 Lincoln Cent Free Shipping $43.25
2013 Uncirculated 5 Star Generals Half Dollar Us Mint Bu Coin with Box & Coa2013 Uncirculated 5 Star Generals Half Dollar Us Mint Bu Coin with Box & Coa $18.90 Error: 1999 Ga Quarter Off-center Ec2143Error: 1999 Ga Quarter Off-center Ec2143 $26.98 Was: Previous Price $32.50
1894-P Morgan Silver Dollar Ngc Au 58 Key Date Bright White1894-P Morgan Silver Dollar Ngc Au 58 Key Date Bright White $2,226.00 1985 S 10C Roosevelt Dime Proof Pcgs Pr70Dcam1985 S 10C Roosevelt Dime Proof Pcgs Pr70Dcam $4.25
John Adams 2007 Presidential Dollar First Day Coin CoverJohn Adams 2007 Presidential Dollar First Day Coin Cover $14.95 1934 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Gem Red Uncirculated1934 1C Lincoln Cent - Type 1 Wheat Reverse (Raw) Gem Red Uncirculated $28.75
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Prices current as of last update, 03/26/17 6:20pm.

See also...
2, 3 & 20 Cents, Coins: US
Collections, Lots, Coins: US
Colonial, Coins: US
Commemorative, Coins: US
Dimes, Coins: US
Dollars, Coins: US
Errors, Coins: US
Gold, Coins: US
Half Cents, Coins: US
Half Dimes, Coins: US
Halves, Coins: US
Large Cents, Coins: US
Mint Sets, Coins: US
Nickels, Coins: US
Other US Coins, Coins: US
Proof Sets, Coins: US
Quarters, Coins: US
Rolls, Coins: US
Small Cents, Coins: US

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