Coin Specifications

The most recent major change for the composition of the Lincoln Cent came in 1982. By that time, the rising costs of base metals had made the penny cost more to produce than its face value. After experimenting with a number of different potential compositions, the US Mint decided to use a composition of copper coated zinc. This would provide a cheaper material, but the Lincoln Penny would still remain its familiar color and feel.

The composition change occurred during the year, so 1982 pennies exist in both the old copper based composition and the new zinc based composition. At this time, the Lincoln Cent design featured the bust of Lincoln designed by Victor D. Brenner and the reverse Lincoln Memorial design from Frank Gasparro. The zinc based composition continues to be used for the 2009 Lincoln Cent designs released for circulation. During the zinc era, coins were struck for circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, and struck in proof for collectors at the San Francisco Mint.

Zinc Lincoln Cent Coin Specifications

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Although the Eisenhower Dollars produced for circulation did not contain any silver, the US Mint produced collectible versions of the coins which contained 40% silver. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, these modern silver dollars have an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. The coins were produced in both uncirculated and proof versions and sold individually from 1971 to 1974. The uncirculated coins came in blue envelopes and came to be known as “Blue Ikes”. The proof cons in brown boxes came to be known as “Brown Ikes”. Silver versions of the Bicentennial 1976 Eisenhower Dollar were also produced. These were sold in 3 coin sets, along with the half dollar and quarter.

Silver Eisenhower Dollar Coin Specifications

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The Lincoln Cent underwent a major change in 1943. The US Mint altered the composition of the coin in an effort to conserve copper for the war effort. This change lasted only one year and created the 1943 Steel Cent. The deign of the coin remained the same as the prior year, however the metallic composition was radically altered.

The Steel Cent was created from zinc coated steel. Interestingly, the zinc coating was not applied to the edges of the coins, which resulted in many rusting when exposed to water, or even the natural process of circulation. The cent was also lighter than the prior version and could be attracted by a magnet. This caused problems with some vending machines. The somewhat unpopular composition was only used for one year before the US Mint reverted to the traditionally copper based penny.

Steel Lincoln Cent Coin Specifications

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