Copper 1961 Philadelphia Minted (No mint mark) Mintage: 756,373,244 https://www.usacoinbook.com/coins/498/small-cents/lincoln-memorial-cent/1961-P/
Looks like an AU 1961 lincoln cent that has spent most of the past 60 years in a hoard or collection, thus preserving much of its "red" color. Unfortunately coins like this one are common and not worth a significant premium.
Welcome to CoinTalk. A 1961 cent is 95% Copper and 5% Tin and Zinc, as was the case with all Lincoln cents struck until 1983. In 1983 the alloys changed and there is no copper in the Lincoln cent from that year and onward (although I understand that some 1983 Lincoln cents were struck in copper before the transition to cheaper alloys). Anyway, today's copper melt value of a Lincoln cent is $0.022846. You could hold onto your copper cents since they are worth a little more than 2 cents today (100% profit!), or do what most people do: just spend them.
With the flat ear obv, worn steps rev...AU55 at best...FV. Very common and not in a condition worth saving, I presume you found it in circulation...and the wear on it is why you did...Spark
Clarification.. 1982 In 1982 there were still Copper Cents being struck. Sometime in 1982 they were switched to the new Copper Plated Zinc Planchets.
That is correct. Moderate confusion. Thank you. P.S., please, no more corrections. I cannot afford to enter the realm of Severe confusion.
You can't blame her for posting twice. Sometimes you get confused, especially when you are new. Your cent is 59 years old, but they were saved in large quantities back in the day. Therefore it is only worth its face value, although the copper in it might be worth a little more. I was a young collector in 1961. A 59 year old coin at that time would have been a 1902 Indian cent, which would have been a nice find. Those were not saved in huge quantities, like the 1961 cents.