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1990

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 6,851,765,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-723

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About this coinHistory

The Philadelphia Mint produced nearly 6.85 billion cents in 1990. Iraq invaded Kuwait in August, triggering an international crisis that would lead to the Gulf War early the following year. President Bush assembled a coalition of nations and deployed American troops to Saudi Arabia in Operation Desert Shield. The Cold War continued to wind down, with Germany officially reunifying in October.

The 1990 Philadelphia cent carries no mintmark and is extremely common. It circulated during a year of geopolitical upheaval and the early stages of an economic recession.

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 1990 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 1990 Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
6,851,765,000 were struck.
What is a 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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.