I am trying to re-learn some of the information that I have forgotten regarding Lincoln Cents. I know they went from a 3.11g 95% copper composition to a 2.5g copper plated zinc composition in mid-1982. That's the easy part. But, if memory serves, when they did the Lincoln Bicentennial coins in 2009, some of the cents meant for collector's went back to the original 3.11g 95% copper composition. Which coins went back and how were they issued? As I understand it, there was a satin finish (like all 2005-10 mint sets) mint sent issued (P & D) with each of the 4 designs as well S minted proofs of each design in 95% copper. While all the circulation coinage remained the 2.5g copper plated zinc. Is this accurate. I remember when returning to copper cents for the collector coins was on the horizon and there was a rumor at the time that the silver proof set would contain a 95% copper cent and the normal proof set would not. From what I can tell, all proofs in 2009 were 95% copper. What I'm trying to ascertain is this...if I wanted to do a complete 2009 cent set, how many coins would it include. Based on my research, it would be 20. Is that accurate. For each of the 4 designs, it would be: 2009 Business Strike (2.5g) 2009-D Business Strike (2.5g) 2009 Business Strike SMS Satin Finish (3.11g) 2009-D Business Strike SMS Satin Finish (3.11g) 2009-S Proof (3.11g) Were any collector cents issued after 2009 created in the 95% copper composition or have they all returned to the 2.5g copper plated zinc? Thanks!
This has a pretty good breakdown if you go into each link (check all the lower mintage ones under 3 mil mintage which are 3.11g), such as this one at 3.11g (scroll half way down) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Price Charts & Coin Values (usacoinbook.com) you can drill down the links on the usmint's website too Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program | U.S. Mint (usmint.gov)
The 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Cents are all zinc, except for the Special Ones that were down for collectors which are a satin finish. Those sets are 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. This information should be in the Red Book.
For the 2009 cents all circulation issues or copper plated zinc. Proof Coins were issued in the coin and chronicle sets and contained the S mint mark. The coin and chronicle sets are 95% copper coins. The coin was also made in a special satin finish collector set. Those are also 95% copper. Only 784,614 were minted.
That's what I thought. Just to make sure I understand you...ALL (P)/D circulation issues used the standard copper plated zinc and ALL collector issues (meaning (P)/D mint sets and S minted proofs) are 95% copper. There were NO zinc coins in ANY collector sets. I also assume the satin finish of the mint sets was the same type of satin finish that the mint was doing for mint sets 2005-2010.
I would want the 2009 copper. One last time. Are the cents in the mint sets and proof sets copper? Once and for all
These were PR sets and SP sets. Here are your answers, respectively: https://www.pcgs.com/prices/detail/lincoln-cent-modern/47/most-active/pr https://www.pcgs.com/prices/detail/lincoln-cent-modern/47/most-active/sp
