United States Lincoln Memorial Cent (Reverse)

This item is a United States one-cent coin, commonly referred to as a penny, showing the reverse side featuring the Lincoln Memorial design. The coin is struck on a copper-plated zinc planchet, which became standard for the U.S. Mint starting in mid-1982. The color is a bright, lustrous reddish-copper, suggesting a relatively recent date of manufacture or a coin that has seen minimal circulation. The design features the neoclassical Lincoln Memorial building in the center, with the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' inscribed above it. Encircling the top periphery are the words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,' while the denomination 'ONE CENT' is prominently displayed along the bottom curve. Close inspection reveals small vertical lines representing the columns of the memorial, and the tiny silhouette of Abraham Lincoln's statue is visible in the center intercolumniation. The coin shows some shelf wear and minor surface abrasions, particularly on the higher relief areas of the letters and the memorial's roofline. There is a slight dark smudge or toning on the left field between the rim and the memorial building. The rim appears intact without significant nicking, indicating a grade likely in the low-to-mid Mint State or high About Uncirculated range. This specific reverse design was used by the U.S. Mint from 1959 through 2008.