Numismatic

1961 Lincoln Cent Gem Proof (Red)

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In 1961, the United States Mint produced a striking version of its classic penny, showcasing the beloved president in a highly polished format. This mid-century copper piece is struck with a proof finish, highlighting the sharp contrast and deep reddish tones of its metal composition, which consists of 95 percent copper combined with 5 percent tin and zinc. The obverse features the familiar profile of Abraham Lincoln facing right, a design created by Victor David Brenner. Clearly legible inscriptions surround the bust, including the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST, the word LIBERTY, and the date 1961. On the reverse, the coin displays the Lincoln Memorial, a design by Frank Gasparro that was minted continuously from 1959 to 2008. The reverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination ONE CENT. This particular specimen represents a beautifully preserved example of mid-twentieth-century American coinage.