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1989

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 7,261,535,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-720

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About this coinHistory

The Philadelphia Mint struck over 7.26 billion cents in 1989, one of the highest single-year totals in the Memorial series. The year witnessed one of the defining moments of the twentieth century: on November 9, the Berlin Wall fell. Germans from both sides streamed through checkpoints and climbed atop the wall that had divided the city since 1961. The Cold War was ending.

George H. W. Bush was inaugurated in January. The Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska's Prince William Sound in March, causing the worst oil spill in U.S. history at that time. The 1989 Philadelphia cent carries no mintmark and is extremely common. It circulated during a year of world-changing events.

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 1989 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 1989 Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
7,261,535,000 were struck.
What is a 1989 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 1989 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 1989 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.