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1988

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 6,092,810,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-717

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About this coinHistory

The Philadelphia Mint produced over 6.09 billion cents in 1988. Vice President George H. W. Bush won the presidential election in November, defeating Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. The economy had recovered from the 1987 stock market crash and was growing again. Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December, killing 270 people.

The 1988 Philadelphia cent carries no mintmark and is common in all grades. Its large mintage ensures wide availability. Collectors include it as a routine date in their Memorial cent sets.

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 1988 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 1988 Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
6,092,810,000 were struck.
What is a 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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.