2019-W

The 2019-W Lincoln Shield cent represents a historic first: a Lincoln cent bearing the "W" mintmark of the United States Mint at West Point, New York. The West Point facility, located on the grounds of the United States Military Academy, had never before produced cents for distribution. The Mint struck these coins and mixed them into bags of regular Philadelphia and Denver cents shipped to banks, creating a nationwide treasure hunt. Collectors searched rolls and bags of cents hoping to find the scarce West Point issues among billions of common coins.

Approximately 372.4 million 2019-W cents were produced, a large number in absolute terms but a small fraction of the total 2019 cent output. The coins are visually identical to regular circulation cents except for the "W" mintmark on the obverse, requiring collectors to examine each coin carefully. The program generated enormous public excitement and media coverage, introducing millions of Americans to coin collecting. Many people who had never looked at their change began checking every cent for the West Point mintmark. The 2019-W cent proved that the Mint could create collector interest without special finishes or premium pricing, simply by placing a scarce mintmark into everyday circulation.