Numismatic

1987 Lincoln Cent BU (Red)

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The 1987 Lincoln cent is a fascinating example of modern American pocket change preserved in brilliant uncirculated condition. This particular piece retains its original red luster, offering a crisp look at a design that circulated through billions of hands. Strikingly, these coins are composed of a zinc core (99.2 percent) plated with a thin layer of copper (0.8 percent). Because of this composition, early zinc cents often display tiny bubbles or raised dots on their surfaces, which are characteristic features of the copper-plating process of this era. The obverse features the iconic right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln, a design originally created by Victor David Brenner. Clearly legible inscriptions on this side include the national motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, alongside the word LIBERTY and the date of 1987. On the reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, the Lincoln Memorial is depicted in detailed relief. This reverse design was minted for half a century, from 1959 to 2008. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination ONE CENT frame the monument. Weighing exactly 2.5 grams, this Philadelphia-minted cent represents a key transitional era in United States metallurgy.