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1960 Small Date

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 586,405,000 Combined mintage for all 1960 Philadelphia varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-607

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About this coinHistory

The 1960 Small Date cent from Philadelphia became one of the first widely publicized varieties in the Lincoln Memorial series. When collectors realized that some 1960 cents had noticeably smaller, thinner date numerals, a nationwide hunt began. Banks reported customers requesting full bags of cents to search through, and newspapers ran stories about the "rare" new variety.

The frenzy drove prices up sharply in 1960 and 1961, though the market eventually settled as large quantities surfaced. The Small Date variety is identified by the shorter, more delicate "1960" on the obverse, with the tops of the digits sitting lower relative to the rim. While no longer the sensation it was in its day, the 1960 Small Date remains a recognized and collected variety. It shares the combined Philadelphia mintage of roughly 588 million, but represents a smaller fraction of that total. Most collectors consider it a semi-key inclusion in a Memorial cent set.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF)
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF)
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $2.50 $2.50
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1960 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent worth?
In Uncirculated condition it runs about $2.50. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1960 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
586,405,000 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1960 Philadelphia varieties).
What is a 1960 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1960 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1960 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.