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1986

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,491,395,493
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-711

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About this coinHistory

The Philadelphia Mint struck nearly 4.5 billion cents in 1986. The year began with national tragedy when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch on January 28, killing all seven crew members, including teacher Christa McAuliffe. The disaster shocked the nation and grounded the shuttle program for over two years.

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union occurred in April, spreading radioactive contamination across Europe. The 1986 Philadelphia cent carries no mintmark and is common. It circulated during a year marked by disasters both at home and abroad, though the economy itself continued to expand.

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)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1986 Lincoln Memorial Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.01, rising to roughly $0.01 in About Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1986 Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
4,491,395,493 were struck.
What is a 1986 Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
Copper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper), weighing 2.5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1986 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 1986 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.