Have a photo? Submit it and we'll credit you.

As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.

1964

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 2,648,575,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-623

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

The 1964 Philadelphia cent was produced in enormous quantities: over 2.64 billion pieces. The year saw passage of the Civil Rights Act in July, one of the most consequential laws in American history. President Lyndon Johnson signed the legislation that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Beatles arrived in February, launching the British Invasion. The country was in flux.

On the coinage front, 1964 was the last year the Mint used the traditional 95% copper composition without controversy. Rising silver prices had already triggered a nationwide coin shortage, and the Mint was ramping up production of all denominations. The cent's composition was not at issue (it contained no silver), but the broader shortage affected distribution. The 1964 Philadelphia cent carries no mintmark and is extremely common.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $0.01 $0.01
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $0.01 $0.01
F-12 Fine (F) $0.01 $0.01
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $0.01 $0.01
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $0.01 $0.01
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $0.01 $0.01
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $0.10 $0.15
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1964 Lincoln Memorial Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.01, rising to roughly $0.10–$0.15 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1964 Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
2,648,575,000 were struck.
What is a 1964 Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1964 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 1964 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.