Numismatic

1988-D Lincoln Cent BU (Red)

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Struck at the Denver Mint, this 1988 Lincoln Cent showcases a vibrant red luster typical of a well-preserved, uncirculated coin. While the coin is primarily composed of zinc, making up 99.2 percent of its structure, a thin outer layer of 0.8 percent copper gives it its classic warm appearance. This specific composition, introduced in the early 1980s, sometimes displays unique minting characteristics such as tiny bubbles or raised dots beneath the copper plating, offering a fascinating glimpse into the physical challenges of the coining process. The obverse features the classic right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, originally created by Victor David Brenner. This side bears the familiar inscriptions of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, alongside the 1988 date and the D mint mark. On the reverse, the Lincoln Memorial design by Frank Gasparro stands out, a motif that graced the one-cent piece from 1959 to 2008. The reverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination, ONE CENT, completing a design that represents a long-running era in American coinage history.