Are you an Abraham Lincoln enthusiast and are interested in collecting coins featuring this iconic United States president?
Lincoln pennies can be a great addition to your collection, especially if you have rare error coins; these can be worth hundreds of dollars!
In this article, you will learn everything you need to about the 1999 penny value. You will discover how much your Lincoln Memorial cent is worth in circulated and circulated condition as well as errors to pay attention to that can earn you a fortune.
Let’s jump in and get started!
History of the 1999 Penny
The Lincoln penny was firsts struck in 1909 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln. This was the first time in U.S. coinage history that a real human was depicted on the obverse of a coin; coins traditionally featured the fictional Lady Liberty.
President Theodore Roosevelt played a key role in the creation of a Lincoln penny. In 1908, Roosevelt interacted with sculptor Victor David Brenner for the creation of a Roosevelt medal for the Panama Canal Commission.
The president admired a Lincoln plaque Brenner had designed in 1907 and it is believed he requested mint director Frank Leach to consider Brenner as a designer for the new Lincoln coin. Indeed, Leach reached out to Brenner and commission him to design the Lincoln wheat penny.
After a lot of public anticipation, the new Lincoln penny was released in August 1909. The coin’s obverse featured a right-facing portrait of Abe Lincoln; the obverse design has remained more or less the same over the years.
The reverse has changed severally since the coin was first struck. Initially, the reverse depicted two wheat leaves, giving the coin the name Lincoln Wheat Penny. This design changed in 1958 to feature Frank Gasparro’s impression of the historical Lincoln Memorial and remained that way until 2008, after which it was changed again.
In 1999, the Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco mints struck Lincoln coins for circulation and for collectors. In the next section will explore the unique features to pay attention to in a 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny worth money.
Features of the 1999 Penny
Let’s look at the physical attributes of the 1999 penny. Knowing what to look for in your penny can help you spot one that is worth money.
The Obverse of the 1999 Penny
On the obverse of the 1999 penny you will find a right-facing full bust portrait of the much-loved U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
At the top of the coin is our country’s powerful motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The word LIBERTY appears on the left, behind Lincoln’s back while the date, 1999 appears on the right, in front of his profile.
The Reverse of the 1999 Penny
The Lincoln Memorial appears prominently on the reverse of the 1999 penny.
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are imprinted at the top of the coin followed the by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM in a smaller font size.
The coin’s denomination, ONE CENT, appears at the bottom of the coin around the inner rim.
At a closer look, you will also notice the initials ‘FG’ on the furthest end of the Memorial’s right staircase wing. These initials stand for Frank Gasparro who designed the coin’s reverse.
Other Features of the 1999 Penny
The 1999 penny has other notable features. This coin weighs 2.5 grams and measures 19.00 millimeters in diameter. It has a plain edge.
The coin comprises Copper-plated Zinc and has a plain edge.
In 1999, the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints struck Lincoln Memorial pennies. But only the coins struck at the Denver and San Francisco facilities have a mint mark D and S respectively on the obverse. The Philadelphia pennies do not have a mint mark.
1999 Penny Grading
Lincoln cents are among the most collected coins in American coinage history. So how do you grade your penny and estimate how much it might be worth? The answer lies in the coin’s color and condition.
Your 1999 penny might be classified as red, red-brown, or brown. Although it is normal for copper pennies, including uncirculated ones, to change color due to oxidation and exposure to the elements, most collectors prefer red pennies.
A general rule of thumb when designating colors to your Lincoln pennies is to consider that coins without any red on them are usually categorized as brown (BN), those with 15 to 20% red coloration are designated red-brown (RBN) while those that are 80 to 90% red are graded Red (RD).
Aside from the color, you also want to examine the coin’s condition. Pay close attention to the fields and check for contact marks, dings, and dents, which are a sign of circulation.
Examine the high points including the hair, lower shoulder and beard which are prone to wear and tear. The degree of wear on these points will give you a clue as to the coin’s grade.
Mint state 1999 pennies are more desirable than the circulated variety. For your penny to be graded gem quality or MS65 and above, it should have an appealing mint luster and the original red color. The coin should only have few, if any, contact marks with little to no signs of wear.
John Saechao
John Saechao is a respected California-based coin collector, known for his diverse and intricate collection. His lifelong passion for numismatics has shaped an impressive portfolio, spanning multiple eras and continents. Celebrated not just for his collection, John is appreciated for his knowledge-sharing, greatly influencing the coin collecting community.
