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Lincoln Cent Value Trends

Presented below are the value trends since 1950 for individual coins of the Lincoln Cent series.  Since this type has been minted for many decades, the Coin Value Tables carry over several pages.

To learn about the controversy over this ubiquitous coin while it was in the planning stages in 1909, and to see photos of the coin, we refer you to the introductory material for the Lincoln Cent.

If you're ready to study the trends of other US coins, then please return to the Coin Value Tables online report page.

 

LINCOLN CENTS

Click below to skip to Coin Value Table for date selected
1909 1909 VDB 1909-S 1909-S VDB
1909-S S over S 1910 1910-S 1911
1911-D 1911-S 1912-1915 1916-1919
1920-1924 1925-1928 1929-1933 1934-1937
1938-1940 Later Date Errors    

See important note below for explanation of grading standards.



1909 Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 72,702,618
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED PF-65 RED
1950 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.25 0.30 --- --- --- --- --- 3.00
1955 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.25 0.40 0.60 1.00 --- --- --- --- --- 4.00
1960 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.40 0.65 2.00 3.50 --- --- --- --- --- 16.00
1965 0.35 0.45 0.65 1.00 2.00 4.50 9.00 --- --- --- --- --- 85.00
1970 0.15 0.25 0.40 0.65 1.35 3.75 5.75 --- --- --- --- --- 82.50
1975 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.75 1.50 5.00 8.50 --- --- --- --- --- 95.00
1980 0.40 0.45 0.60 0.70 1.50 5.00 10.00 --- --- 35.00 --- --- 150
1985 0.50 0.55 0.65 1.00 1.75 7.25 12.50 25.00 --- 115 --- --- 1000
1990 0.40 0.50 0.75 1.50 2.50 6.00 12.50 22.50 --- 85.00 300 --- 1500
1995 0.40 0.50 1.00 1.75 2.75 7.00 12.50 22.50 30.00 60.00 300 450 650
2000 0.75 0.90 1.25 1.75 2.75 6.75 12.50 17.50 25.00 75.00 300 650 1500
2003 1.50 1.75 2.25 2.50 3.00 8.25 12.50 17.50 25.00 100 350 1700 2500
2006 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.50 10.00 15.00 25.00 40.00 100 750 4000 2500
2008 4.00 4.50 5.00 6.00 7.50 15.00 20.00 25.00 50.00 125 1500 4500 2500
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 9.57 9.02 8.26 7.31 6.98 7.31 7.51 --- --- --- --- --- 12.29
1980 8.57 8.57 7.87 7.98 5.92 4.00 2.51 --- --- 4.65 --- --- 10.57
1995 19.38 18.41 13.18 9.94 8.02 6.04 3.68 0.81 4.01 5.81 13.18 19.38 10.92
2003 21.67 20.79 17.32 19.14 20.11 12.70 9.86 7.39 14.87 4.56 33.78 21.49 0.00
©Copyright by US-Coin-Values-Advisor.com.

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1909 Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
VDB Mintage: 27,995,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED PF-65 RED
1950 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 --- --- --- --- --- 7.00
1955 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.40 0.60 --- --- --- --- --- 10.00
1960 0.20 0.30 0.45 0.60 0.75 1.50 2.00 --- --- --- --- --- 90.00
1965 0.90 1.15 1.50 2.00 3.00 4.50 7.75 --- --- --- --- --- 350
1970 0.80 1.00 1.25 1.60 2.25 3.50 5.25 --- --- --- --- --- 365
1975 1.60 2.00 2.25 2.60 3.00 4.25 11.00 --- --- --- --- --- 400
1980 1.75 2.00 2.50 2.85 3.50 5.50 12.50 --- --- 25.00 --- --- 750
1985 2.25 2.50 2.75 3.00 4.00 10.00 11.50 27.50 --- 60.00 --- --- 3000
1990 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.50 3.75 6.00 10.00 20.00 --- 65.00 --- --- 5000
1995 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.25 3.00 4.25 9.00 13.50 22.50 55.00 60.00 75.00 5000
2000 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.50 6.00 10.00 13.50 25.00 50.00 75.00 275 10000
2003 3.75 4.00 4.50 4.75 5.00 6.00 10.00 15.00 27.50 100 225 625 12500
2006 8.50 9.00 9.50 10.00 11.00 12.00 13.00 15.00 50.00 100 400 1250 12500
2008 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 20.00 22.50 25.00 35.00 100 150 1500 2000 12500
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 12.09 11.43 10.57 9.37 8.80 8.48 8.26 --- --- --- --- --- 13.78
1980 7.98 7.71 7.09 6.80 6.42 5.16 2.51 --- --- 6.61 --- --- 10.57
1995 19.38 18.56 17.89 17.35 15.71 13.68 8.18 7.60 12.16 8.02 28.10 28.73 7.30
2003 31.95 31.95 30.45 30.53 31.95 30.26 20.11 18.47 29.46 8.45 46.14 26.19 0.00
©Copyright by US-Coin-Values-Advisor.com.

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1909-S Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 1,825,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 0.65 0.85 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.75 4.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 2.00 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.50 8.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 7.50 9.00 11.00 15.00 17.50 20.00 32.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 30.00 32.50 42.50 50.00 67.50 80.00 125 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 20.00 22.50 25.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 65.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 23.50 25.00 30.00 35.00 45.00 55.00 75.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 27.50 30.00 35.00 40.00 50.00 62.50 100 --- --- --- 150 --- ---
1985 40.00 42.50 50.00 55.00 90.00 115 175 250 --- --- 525 --- ---
1990 35.00 40.00 45.00 50.00 75.00 100 125 150 --- --- 350 --- ---
1995 35.00 42.50 47.50 60.00 80.00 95.00 110 150 175 --- 400 350 ---
2000 35.00 42.50 50.00 65.00 90.00 110 125 150 250 225 475 875 ---
2003 65.00 75.00 100 150 200 250 275 300 500 500 1500 2500 32500
2006 85.00 100 125 175 225 275 350 400 650 850 1600 2750 50000
2008 125 135 150 200 275 300 375 425 850 1000 2000 4000 75000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 9.49 9.13 9.02 8.80 8.86 8.43 8.14 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 5.56 5.52 5.33 5.92 6.28 5.76 4.83 --- --- --- 9.69 --- ---
1995 10.29 9.30 9.25 9.70 9.96 9.25 9.89 8.34 12.93 --- 13.18 20.61 ---
2003 13.97 12.47 8.45 5.92 6.58 3.71 6.40 7.21 11.20 14.87 5.92 9.86 18.20
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1909-S Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
VDB Mintage: 484,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 5.00 7.00 8.25 9.00 9.25 10.00 12.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 12.50 15.00 17.50 20.00 22.50 25.00 30.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 40.00 45.00 50.00 60.00 67.50 75.00 100 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 135 150 175 200 225 250 350 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 100 100 125 125 150 160 200 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 115 125 135 150 175 200 275 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 200 210 240 250 275 300 400 --- --- --- 600 --- ---
1985 225 250 275 350 375 450 500 700 --- --- 1400 --- ---
1990 225 250 275 300 350 375 475 550 --- --- 1750 --- ---
1995 350 400 425 475 550 625 675 875 1150 --- 1875 3400 ---
2000 400 425 475 525 575 650 725 850 1500 1500 2750 4000 13000
2003 475 550 650 700 800 900 1250 1500 3500 4250 6000 10000 50000
2006 850 900 1000 1200 1300 1450 1650 2000 5000 5000 8250 15000 100000
2008 900 1100 1250 1400 1500 1650 2000 2250 5500 5000 8250 20000 100000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 9.37 9.11 9.04 9.09 9.17 9.20 9.14 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 5.52 6.09 6.07 6.35 6.25 6.28 5.92 --- --- --- 9.81 --- ---
1995 7.54 8.09 8.65 8.67 8.02 7.75 8.71 7.54 12.79 --- 12.07 14.60 ---
2003 13.63 14.87 13.97 14.87 13.40 12.89 9.86 8.45 9.46 3.30 6.58 14.87 14.87
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1909-S Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
S Over Horz S Mintage: Inc. Above
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1985 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1990 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1995 50.00 75.00 100 115 150 175 225 275 325 375 450 --- 650
2000 42.50 50.00 60.00 75.00 100 125 200 275 350 425 600 1000 ---
2003 75.00 100 125 200 225 275 300 350 500 500 1750 2750 ---
2006 100 125 150 200 300 350 450 500 750 825 2000 3500 10000
2008 125 150 175 250 300 350 450 500 900 825 2000 3500 15000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1995 7.30 5.48 4.40 6.16 5.48 5.48 5.48 4.71 8.15 6.25 12.16 --- 27.31
2003 10.76 8.45 6.96 4.56 5.92 4.94 8.45 7.39 12.47 10.53 2.71 4.94 ---
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1910 Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 146,801,218
#NUM!
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED PF-65 RED
1950 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.40 0.65 --- --- --- --- --- 3.00
1955 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.30 0.50 0.75 1.25 --- --- --- --- --- 4.00
1960 0.05 0.15 0.30 0.50 0.75 1.15 3.50 --- --- --- --- --- 15.00
1965 0.20 0.30 0.50 1.15 2.50 3.25 11.50 --- --- --- --- --- 85.00
1970 0.15 0.20 0.30 0.60 1.25 2.00 7.25 --- --- --- --- --- 90.00
1975 0.20 0.30 0.50 0.80 1.75 2.75 10.00 --- --- --- --- --- 95.00
1980 0.20 0.30 0.50 0.80 1.60 4.00 11.00 0.00 --- 27.50 --- --- 150
1985 0.20 0.30 0.50 0.80 1.75 6.00 12.00 22.50 --- 60.00 --- --- 950
1990 0.12 0.15 0.25 0.50 1.75 4.00 12.75 20.00 --- 100 --- --- 1500
1995 0.15 0.20 0.25 1.00 2.00 6.25 15.00 22.50 37.50 100 125 --- 650
2000 0.15 0.20 0.30 0.75 2.00 5.00 15.00 22.50 35.00 100 225 1750 1250
2003 0.35 0.50 0.65 0.75 2.50 5.50 15.00 22.50 35.00 175 450 4000 3000
2006 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.50 4.00 8.50 17.50 25.00 40.00 250 1750 8000 3000
2008 0.50 0.75 1.00 2.00 5.00 10.00 20.00 25.00 50.00 300 1750 10000 3000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 5.71 5.71 5.30 5.30 5.30 5.71 6.09 --- --- --- --- --- 12.65
1980 3.33 3.33 2.51 3.33 4.15 3.33 2.16--- 8.91 --- --- 11.29
1995 9.70 10.70 11.25 5.48 7.30 3.68 2.24 0.81 2.24 8.82 22.51 --- 12.48
2003 7.39 8.45 9.00 21.67 14.87 12.70 5.92 2.13 7.39 11.38 31.21 20.11 0.00
©Copyright by US-Coin-Values-Advisor.com.

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1910-S Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 6,045,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 0.10 0.15 0.25 0.40 1.00 1.35 2.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 0.30 0.40 1.00 1.25 2.50 3.00 4.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 0.75 1.00 2.50 3.50 6.50 12.50 17.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 4.00 5.50 7.00 9.00 15.00 30.00 60.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 2.75 3.50 4.25 6.50 10.00 22.50 40.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.25 11.50 27.50 45.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 5.75 6.75 8.00 9.00 12.50 25.00 52.50 --- --- --- 150 --- ---
1985 7.00 7.50 8.50 11.00 17.50 45.00 70.00 150 --- --- 425 --- ---
1990 5.50 6.00 7.00 10.00 17.50 45.00 75.00 100 --- --- 300 --- ---
1995 5.75 6.50 7.50 11.00 20.00 45.00 55.00 65.00 75.00 --- 275 --- ---
2000 6.00 7.00 8.00 10.00 20.00 50.00 55.00 60.00 125 100 325 1000 ---
2003 8.00 9.00 10.00 12.50 25.00 60.00 65.00 90.00 200 200 1000 2000 3000
2006 9.00 11.00 13.25 17.50 30.00 65.00 80.00 100 300 500 2000 5250 47500
2008 22.50 25.00 30.00 40.00 62.50 85.00 115 150 350 850 1500 5250 65000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 9.79 9.22 8.60 8.26 7.39 7.40 7.24 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 4.99 4.79 4.83 5.47 5.92 4.47 2.84 --- --- --- 8.57 --- ---
1995 11.07 10.92 11.25 10.44 9.16 5.01 5.84 6.64 12.58 --- 13.94 --- ---
2003 22.98 22.67 24.57 26.19 20.11 7.21 12.09 10.76 11.84 33.56 8.45 21.29 84.99
©Copyright by US-Coin-Values-Advisor.com.

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1911 Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 101,177,787
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED PF-65 RED
1950 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.10 0.20 0.35 0.60 --- --- --- --- --- 3.00
1955 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.40 0.60 0.85 1.25 --- --- --- --- --- 4.00
1960 0.10 0.20 0.35 0.60 0.75 1.50 3.50 --- --- --- --- --- 17.50
1965 0.20 0.30 0.65 1.35 2.50 5.50 12.50 --- --- --- --- --- 85.00
1970 0.15 0.20 0.30 0.85 1.50 3.25 8.50 --- --- --- --- --- 90.00
1975 0.20 0.30 0.60 1.25 3.50 5.00 11.00 --- --- --- --- --- 100
1980 0.20 0.30 0.60 1.25 4.00 7.00 15.00 --- --- 56.50 --- --- 150
1985 0.20 0.30 0.60 1.25 3.75 8.50 15.00 30.00 --- 90.00 --- --- 850
1990 0.20 0.25 0.50 1.75 3.50 6.50 15.00 30.00 --- 175 --- --- 1500
1995 0.20 0.25 0.50 1.50 4.00 8.25 17.50 30.00 60.00 150 --- --- 1000
2000 0.20 0.30 0.75 1.50 4.00 8.25 10.00 32.50 75.00 200 500 --- 2000
2003 0.40 0.60 1.00 1.50 4.00 7.50 20.00 30.00 75.00 450 650 --- 2500
2006 0.50 0.75 2.00 3.00 5.00 10.00 20.00 40.00 150 2000 2500 25000 7500
2008 0.50 1.00 2.00 3.00 7.50 15.00 22.50 50.00 350 2500 3000 25000 7500
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 5.71 6.23 6.57 6.04 6.45 6.69 6.45 --- --- --- --- --- 14.44
1980 3.33 4.39 4.39 3.18 2.27 2.76 1.46 --- --- 14.49 --- --- 14.99
1995 7.30 11.25 11.25 5.48 4.95 4.71 1.95 4.01 14.53 24.16 --- --- 16.76
2003 4.56 10.76 14.87 14.87 13.40 14.87 2.38 10.76 36.08 40.91 35.78 --- 24.57
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1911-D Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 12,672,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 0.10 0.15 0.35 0.85 1.25 1.75 2.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 0.30 0.50 1.25 2.25 3.00 4.25 5.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 0.60 1.00 2.00 4.00 5.50 7.00 15.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 1.50 2.50 4.25 7.50 12.50 20.00 42.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 1.25 1.75 3.00 5.75 10.00 15.00 32.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 2.50 3.25 4.75 8.25 15.00 22.50 47.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 2.50 3.50 5.00 8.50 17.50 37.50 60.00 --- --- --- 175 --- ---
1985 3.75 4.50 5.50 10.00 22.50 50.00 75.00 175 --- --- 500 --- ---
1990 3.75 4.25 5.25 10.00 25.00 45.00 85.00 125 --- --- 375 --- ---
1995 4.00 5.00 6.00 12.50 30.00 50.00 75.00 110 225 --- 550 --- ---
2000 4.00 5.00 7.00 12.00 30.00 50.00 75.00 100 450 250 850 2500 ---
2003 5.00 6.00 8.50 12.50 40.00 50.00 75.00 110 550 475 900 2750 ---
2006 6.00 7.00 10.00 17.50 50.00 65.00 90.00 125 1250 650 2000 10000 ---
2008 6.00 7.00 12.50 17.50 60.00 75.00 100 125 1250 1000 2000 20000 50000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 7.31 6.85 6.36 5.35 6.90 6.69 6.57 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 3.18 2.51 3.33 2.61 4.50 2.51 1.84 --- --- --- 9.09 --- ---
1995 3.17 2.62 5.81 2.62 5.48 3.17 2.24 0.99 14.10 --- 10.44 --- ---
2003 3.71 3.13 8.02 6.96 8.45 8.45 5.92 2.59 17.84 16.05 17.32 48.71 ---
©Copyright by US-Coin-Values-Advisor.com.

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1911-S Lincoln Cents
Historical Value Trends
  Mintage: 4,026,000
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 BRN MS-63 RB MS-64 RED MS-65 RB MS-65 RED MS-66 RED MS-67 RED
1950 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.50 0.65 1.00 3.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1955 0.75 1.25 2.00 2.50 3.50 5.00 8.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1960 2.50 3.50 5.50 7.25 10.00 15.00 22.50 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1965 10.00 12.50 15.00 20.00 27.50 50.00 85.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1970 6.75 8.00 9.00 12.50 17.50 32.50 50.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1975 9.00 10.00 11.50 15.00 20.00 37.50 60.00 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 9.00 10.00 11.50 15.00 20.00 45.00 75.00 --- --- --- 235 --- ---
1985 11.00 12.50 14.00 17.50 30.00 57.50 125 250 --- --- 700 --- ---
1990 12.50 15.00 16.00 19.00 32.50 60.00 110 175 --- --- 825 --- ---
1995 12.50 15.00 17.50 20.00 32.50 65.00 125 175 250 --- 675 --- ---
2000 13.00 14.75 16.25 20.00 32.50 65.00 125 175 425 400 1250 3000 ---
2003 15.00 17.50 20.00 25.00 45.00 80.00 150 225 475 525 2000 3500 ---
2006 20.00 22.50 25.00 35.00 50.00 100 175 275 1500 1000 4000 25000 40000
2008 45.00 50.00 55.00 60.00 80.00 125 200 300 1500 1750 4500 25000 45000
Compounded Annual % Return Rate Since…
Computed from year indicated in left-most column to the year 2008
Year G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 XF-40 AU-50 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-66 PF-65 MS-66 PF-65
1950 10.33 9.57 9.11 8.60 8.65 8.68 7.22 --- --- --- --- --- ---
1980 5.92 5.92 5.75 5.08 5.08 3.72 3.57 --- --- --- 11.12 --- ---
1995 10.36 9.70 9.21 8.82 7.17 5.16 3.68 4.23 14.78 --- 15.71 --- ---
2003 24.57 23.36 22.42 19.14 12.20 9.34 5.92 5.92 25.86 27.23 17.61 48.17 ---
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In the 1950s, grading practices were radically different from what we have today.  A coin's condition was described using simple adjectives such as "Very Good" or "Uncirculated".  Accordingly, numismatic references of those times conformed to the same set of adjectives to approximate retail coin values.  Varying distinctions of Uncirculated (today's equivalent of MS-60, MS-61, etc) and Proof were recognized in some advertisements and auction bills by employing modifying descriptors such as "Brilliant Uncirculated" or "Choice Proof", for example.  However, with no clear point of reference or consistency on how the modifying descriptors were invoked, most publishers resorted to listing values for only one "Uncirculated" grade and one "Proof" grade.

 

The 70-point numeric system (G-4, VG-8, etc.) in widespread use today was popularized by the American Numismatic Association in the late 1970s, an era when coin values were escalating dramatically, most notably for high quality specimens.  Vague descriptors such as "Choice" and "Brilliant" were replaced by the more precise numerically determined grades.  Thus, finely differentiated grades like MS-60, MS-63, and MS-65 became commonplace, and by the late 1980s, the practice of assigning a numerical grade to indicate quality was universal (this does not imply the 70-point system eliminated grading inconsistencies, but it did help to stabilize the coin collecting hobby).

 

Throughout the 1990s and into the new millennium, more grading subtleties were introduced within the framework of the grading system, including coloration of copper coins such as Lincoln cents.  Brown (BRN) is considered "normal", while Red-Brown (RB) is more desirable.  Red (RED) is the most highly prized color by discerning collectors/investors, and generally carries substantial premiums. 

 

The Coin Value Tables™ trend data for Lincoln cents reflect the historic availability of numeric grades and coin coloration to describe coins.  For the 1950-1980 rows, the values in the "G-4" column correspond to the "Good" listing of those years, "VG-8" corresponds to "Very Good", and so on.  The "MS-60 BRN" column records the "Uncirculated" value reported during those same decades.  Similarly, "PF-65 RED" corresponds to simple "Proof" figures.  Starting in the 1985 row, "Uncirculated" grades are broken down into "MS-60 BRN", "MS-63 RB", and "MS-65 RB", even though most Lincoln cent listings from that year placed little emphasis on coin coloration, deferring instead to a single value for a "typical" specimen.  By the year 2000, however, value trends based on coloration were readily available, thus we see yet a wider representation of data based on copper color quality beginning in the Year 2000 row.

 

Had a collector paid the "going price" in the early to mid-1990s for what was then a typical MS-65 Lincoln cent, one that eventually earned a RED distinction, he (or she) would have been rewarded with huge price advancements as the coloration phenomenon came into full vogue a few years later.  Conversely, if another collector at the same time shelled out the same price for another typical MS-65 Lincoln cent that later had the misfortune to be classified as BRN or RB, he would still today be hoping to recover from the ensuing price collapse of non-RED specimens.

 

For those interested, we have a coin grading section with more details on the evolution of grading coins.

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