Lincoln Memorial Penny Overview

The Lincoln Memorial Penny is one of the most recognizable and longest-running coin series in production. First minted in 1909 and known as a wheat cent, the Lincoln penny was updated in 1958. At that time, the two wheat ears on the reverse were replaced by a depiction of the Lincoln memorial.

Designer Frank Gasparro was responsible for redesigning the reverse of the Lincoln penny. Gasparro’s design has the Lincoln Memorial centered with the mottos “United States of America” and “E Pluribus Unum” found above. The words “One Cent” can be found below the Lincoln Memorial.

The obverse of the coin, designed by Victor D. Brenner, features the bust of Lincoln facing right, with the word “Liberty” to his left and the date to the right. The motto “In God We Trust” can be found centered above Lincoln.

Lincoln Memorial pennies minted before 1982 are composed of 95% copper and 5% of a zinc and tin mix. Any Memorial pennies minted after 1982 are made of a 97.5% inner zinc layer, with a 2.5% copper outer layer. This change in composition was to help reduce the cost of minting the Lincoln Memorial penny.

History of the 1985 Memorial Penny

Minted in Philadelphia, a total of 5,648,489,000 had been produced that year, making the 1985 Memorial penny a very common coin. The large number minted is contributed to the change from a copper based penny to a zinc-based penny, allowing for lower costs during minting.

Because of the switch from copper to zinc, some Memorial pennies from the mid-1980s have details that look flat and distorted. This is due to the mint not being able to make dies that correctly applied sharp details during the minting process.

Each 1985 Lincoln Memorial penny has a diameter of 19.05mm and weight of 2.5 grams. Like all other pennies, the 1985 Memorial penny lacks reeding (raised bumps) along the edges.

Known 1985 Memorial Penny Errors

Like other Memorial pennies from the early and mid-1980s, the 1985 Lincoln Memorial penny may contain several common mint errors. These errors can significantly increase the value of the coin.

Peeling of the copper layer from the internal zinc layer was quite common in the first 5 years after 1982 when the mint switched from using copper-based to zinc-based pennies. Look for your coin to have areas that show small bubbles, indicating that the copper layer has separated from the zinc layer. A more valuable error is when part of the copper plating is missing, exposing the silver-colored zinc layer.

Another error that is possible to find on the 1985 Memorial penny is what is known by error collectors as a broadstrike. This is where the coin has a much larger diameter than intended and almost looks like it was squeezed or crushed.

If you think that your 1985 Memorial penny shows any of these errors, it is best to take them to an experienced coin dealer for a second opinion. A coin dealer will be able to tell if your penny exhibits a true error made during the minting process, or if the coin was damaged after leaving the mint.

Valuing the 1985 Memorial Penny

Since over 5 billion 1985 pennies were minted, the value of your 1985 penny is more than likely only face value. Even in uncirculated condition, the 1985 penny is worth only a mere $0.25.

If your coin exhibits any of the errors mentioned above, the coin can be worth significantly more.

A 1985 Memorial penny that has significant bubbling on either the obverse or reverse can be worth $1-$2 in uncirculated or near-uncirculated condition. Significant peeling of the top copper layer from the bottom zinc layer can go for $10+ depending on the coin’s condition.

Broadstruck pennies are relatively common and worth $1 or $2 above face value. An extreme broadstrike on a penny is very desirable and can be worth $10, $20, and even $100+, depending on the severity of the error.