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1964 Proof

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Key date Proof
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
Mintage 3,950,762
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-622

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About this coinHistory

The 1964 Proof cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of nearly 3.95 million, the highest proof total in the series up to that point. Collector demand was surging, driven by the broader coin collecting boom of the early 1960s. Proof set sales had grown every year since the Memorial design debuted in 1959.

Few who purchased the 1964 proof set realized it would be the last traditional proof set for several years. The nationwide coin shortage prompted the Mint to suspend proof set production after 1964, replacing proofs with Special Mint Sets from 1965 through 1967. The 1964 Proof cent therefore marks the end of an era. It remains widely available and affordable, but its status as the last pre-SMS proof gives it a historical footnote that later proofs lack.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How many 1964 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
3,950,762 were struck.
What is a 1964 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1964 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 1964 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent a key date?
Yes — the 1964 Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent is considered a key date in the Lincoln Memorial Cents series and commands a strong premium.