1959-D Lincoln Memorial Cent
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint | Denver |
| Mintage | 1,279,760,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Zinc |
| Melt Value | $0.04 (spot as of ) |
| Designer | Victor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-603 |
The Denver Mint produced nearly 1.28 billion Lincoln cents in 1959, each bearing the small "D" mintmark below the date. These were the first coins from Denver to feature the new Lincoln Memorial reverse designed by Frank Gasparro. Denver's output dwarfed Philadelphia's that year, reflecting the strong demand for coinage across the western half of the country.
Alaska had become a state in January, and Hawaii followed in August, giving the nation fifty states for the first time. Millions of Americans encountered the new Memorial design in their pocket change that year without thinking much about it. The 1959-D is common in all grades and remains one of the most accessible coins in the series for beginning collectors.
| Grade | Description | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $0.01 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $0.01 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $0.01 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $0.01 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $0.01 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $0.01 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $0.40–$0.45 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | — |
This table is for educational purposes only and is intended to illustrate general market price trends and pricing steps between grades. Actual market conditions may vary significantly, especially for rarer pieces that often command premiums above the ranges shown here.
No major varieties are known for this issue.
View all Lincoln Memorial Cents varieties →- PCGS CoinFacts: Lincoln Memorial Cents
- NGC Coin Explorer: Lincoln Memorial Cents
- Heritage Auctions Archives
- Stack's Bowers Auction Archives
- A Guide Book of United States Coins (The Red Book)
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