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1960 Small Date Proof

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Key date Proof
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 1,691,602 Combined mintage for all 1960 proof varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-608

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About this coinHistory

The 1960 Small Date Proof was the variety that ignited collector enthusiasm across the country. When proof sets began arriving in late 1959 and into 1960, some contained cents with the smaller, thinner date numerals. Demand surged. The U.S. Mint received a flood of orders for proof sets, and the secondary market price for Small Date Proofs climbed well above the original issue price.

The total proof mintage for 1960 was about 1.69 million sets, shared across all date varieties. The Small Date Proof was the scarcer of the main two types, and collectors who found one in their proof set counted themselves lucky. Over the decades, the premium for this variety has moderated, but it remains more desirable than its Large Date counterpart. The Small Date is identified by the thinner numerals and the lower positioning of the "1" relative to the "9" in the date.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1960 Small Date Proof Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
1,691,602 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1960 proof varieties).
What is a 1960 Small Date Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1960 Small Date Proof 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 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent a key date?
Yes — the 1960 Small Date Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent is considered a key date in the Lincoln Memorial Cents series and commands a strong premium.