Numismatic

1999-S Lincoln Cent Gem Proof (Red)

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The 1999-S Lincoln Cent stands as a striking example of modern American proof coinage. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin features a composition of 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent consisting of tin and zinc. As a Gem Proof issue, it showcases the sharp details and polished surfaces characteristic of specialized proof manufacturing, bringing out the rich red tones of the copper alloy. The obverse of the coin features the classic right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln, a design created by Victor David Brenner. Legible inscriptions on this side include the national motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, along with LIBERTY, the year 1999, and the S mint mark representing San Francisco. 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 read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination, ONE CENT. This combination of historic designs and pristine proof finish offers a captivating look at a familiar denomination in its most refined form.