Collecting Lincoln Cents

With almost 40 years of production, the Lincolnface value. There are even a number of rolls
Memorial cent has provided its collectors with afrom the late 1980s selling at four times face
number of historic coins. For those who havevalue.
checked their change and regularly studiedIt has long been felt that people have been
circulating Lincoln cents, there have also been aignoring issues since 1965 and that there may not
number of pleasant surprises in the form ofbe adequate supplies of nice examples for future
doubled dies, large and small dates and varieties.generations of collectors. That appears to have
Although a complete Lincoln Memorial centsome truth, as there has to be a supply shortage
collection may not currently be an expensivefor rolls less than a decade old to be bringing four
undertaking, that is the case with virtually anytimes face value and in the case of the 1984-D,
current coin, just as 1877 Indian cents werealmost $10 for 50 cents in uncirculated 1984-D
modestly priced in 1878.Lincolns.
Some might doubt that there are coins in theWhether the 1984-D will emerge as the key date
Lincoln Memorial cent series of such potential, butof modern Lincoln Memorial reverse cents remains
there are already some very interesting signs into be seen, but clearly the market is suggesting
the case of what many would consider commonthat the 1984-D and a number of other fairly
dates.recent dates have solid potential for both
An examination of the prices of uncirculatedcollectors and investors in the years ahead.
Lincoln cent rolls turns up indications that LincolnThe prospect is a very real one that one day
Memorial reverse cents have a strong future.today's seemingly common Lincoln Memorial
Beginning with the 1969 Lincolns from Philadelphia,reverse cents will be viewed with as much
it is not that unusual to find rolls of uncirculatedinterest and desire as collectors of today might
Lincolns selling for between 4 and 10 times theirview a large cent collection.