Lincoln Cent Two
What Is “Key”, When Collecting Coins?
Key Coin: A coin that is among the toughest and Most Expensive to obtain within a series. In the Lincoln Cent series, for example, the 1909-S VDB would be considered the key, as would the 1914-D and often the 1922-Plain.
A coin somewhat lesser in stature but still among the tougher in a series to collect is called a semi-key; the 1909-S and 1931-S fulfill this role within the Lincoln Cent series for many collectors. Both key coins and semi-key coins are in great demand due primarily to the limited supply of coins available. Since this increases the demand for such coins, the results are higher prices for all such coins. Coins with higher grades are even more difficult to acquire.
The grade of a coin is everything in coin collecting. This entices the rogues and cheats to misrepresent a coin’s grade or quality. But this only works with raw coins. A certified and graded coin – by PCGS, NGC, ICG or ANACS – stifles the would be cheat and insures authenticity. In fact, these companies guarantee the coin’s Authenticity, Identity, and Grade. I have seen company representatives, at trade shows, pay immediate cash reimbursements where a coin was mis-graded, or had a questionable identity or grade. The extra protection offered by a sealed slab, helps to maintain a coins condition and grade, which in turn keeps the value at a higher level than raw coins. Many people have had their entire collections sent in for certification and grading for the protection and value alone. It certainly increases a coins marketability, and eliminates any doubts about what is being bought or sold.
Other “Key” Dates include the following:
Lincoln Cents: 1909 S, 1909 S VDB, 1914 D, 1922 no mint, 1931 S
Jefferson Nickel: 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S and 1950-D
Roosevelt Dimes: 1949, 1949 S, 1950 S, and the 1951 S
Washington Quarters: 1932 D, 1932 S, 1934 – with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1935 D, 1936 D, 1937 – with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1937 S, 1938 S, 1939 S, 1940 D, 1942 D – with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1942 D – with Double Die Reverse (DDR),1943 – with Double Die ?, 1943 S – with Double Die Obverse (DDO), 1950 D/S Over mintmark ( coin is a ‘50-D, with underlying S mintmark ), 1950 S/D Over mintmark ( coin is a ‘50-S, with underlying D mintmark ), and the 1955 D
The Concept of “Key” may also apply to the Type or Purpose of the coin collection, rather than the individual coin. For example, if a collector is putting together a collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars, without regard to the Condition of the coins, then the “keys” are the 1921, 1921-D, and 1916-S.
But, if the Collector is putting together the same set, in Gem BU Condition, the 1919-D and the 1921-S would be considered the “keys” and the 1916-S likely would not, because the 1916-S either not available at all, or is plentiful. Also Key Date may be a replaceable term.
Another example, using Lincoln Cents: The “key dates” for the Lincoln Pennies, from 1909 -1958 (wheat cents) are: 1909s, 1909s VDB, 1914 D, 1922, and the 1931 S.
The “semi-key” dates are: 1910 S, 1911 D, 1911 S, 1912 S, 1913 D, 1913 S, 1914 S, 1915, 1921 S, 1922 D, 1923 S, 1924 D, 1926 S, 1931 D, and 1933 D.
Certain Sellers use the term “Key Date” to generate interest in a coin, whose date may be “Key”, however, the Condition of the coin is usually less than desirable. Pay Attention!
Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright © 2006-7
About the Author
Robert Taylor is a retired Lawyer with a passion for collecting US coins. To share his Passion, he created
http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com
which features US Coins (from 1960) and
http://www.PerfectDollarCoins.Com
featuring US Dollars, all certified by NGC, PCGS, ICG and ANACS.
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1993 LINCOLN CENT.STRIKE ERRORS..TWO ERRORS ON OBVERSE! $0.01 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Presidency” (LP4) $19.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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2009 P D LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET FORMATIVE YEARS LP2 $29.95 |
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TWO 1918 LINCOLN WHEAT CENT (2) $0.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Professional Life” New $12.00 |
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Lincoln Cent – Formative Years – P&D Two-Roll Set – LP2 $24.95 |
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2009 P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET PRESIDENCY LP4 $79.99 |
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2010 LINCOLN CENT TWO P&D ROLLS $0.99 |
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2010 LINCOLN CENT TWO P&D ROLLS $0.99 |
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2009P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PRESIDENCY” – LP4 $9.45 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set P+D Mints PROFESSIONAL $13.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PRESIDENCY P& D Two-Rolls LP4 $32.95 |
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20 Lincoln Wheat Cents – includes two “S” coins $0.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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TWO 1929 D LINCOLN WHEAT CENT PENNIES WHOLESALE CQ101 $1.00 |
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TWO 1929 D LINCOLN WHEAT CENT PENNIES WHOLESALE CQ101 $1.00 |
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Thirty two 1936 Lincoln Cents Fine $9.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PROFESSIONAL LIFE” LP3 $16.95 |
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1909 VDB & 1909 LINCOLN WHEAT CENT Set of Two $8.50 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set Presidency LP4 New Box $24.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Professional Life” LP3 $15.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Presidency” (LP4) $15.99 |
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2010 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll “Preservation of the Union” $13.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET–FORMATIVE YEARS–LP2- $28.00 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set (Birthplace) LP1 $29.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Presidency” LP4 $17.00 |
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LINCOLN CENTS 1909VDB-1948 – TWO BOOKS $6.99 |
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2010 LINCOLN CENT COIN TWO-ROLL SET UNION SHIELD (LP5) $12.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PROFESSIONAL LIFE” LP3 $16.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Professional Life” LP3 $12.99 |
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2009 P&D MINT LINCOLN CENT FORMATIVE YEARS TWO ROLL SET $79.99 |
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2009P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PRESIDENCY” – LP4 $19.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set, Presidency (LP4) $15.96 |
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1969-D Lincoln Cent – Two Clips – Nice Mint Luster! $12.00 |
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1955-S *Two (2) Lincoln Cents* UNC With Blemishes* #3 $0.49 |
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TWENTY-TWO COINS 1909-1935 LINCOLN SMALL CENTS (E138 $100.00 |
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TWO 1956D LINCOLN WHEAT CENT/PENNIES BETTER GRADE $0.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET LP4 PRESDENCYV US MINT $19.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET LP4 PRESDENCYV US MINT $19.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET LP4 PRESDENCYV US MINT $19.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET LP4 PRESDENCYV US MINT $19.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT LP2 U.S. MINT TWO ROLL SET P AND D $12.99 |
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2010 LINCOLN CENT ROLLS. P+D (TWO UNC. ROLLS!!) $4.40 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET–PROFESSIONAL YEARS–LP3 $28.00 |
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2009P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PROFESSIONAL LIFE” $19.99 |
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2010 Lincoln Cent Two Roll Set LP5 PRES. OF THE UNION $20.00 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PRESIDENCY P& D Two-Rolls LP4 $32.95 |
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1981-S Type Two Lincoln Cent ~ Brilliant Proof ~ $9.95 |
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2009P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “FORMATIVE YEAR” LP2 $45.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set – Professional Life LP3 $24.95 |
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Whitman Lincoln Cent 1941 to 1969 Number Two Coin $2.99 |
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2010 SHIELD LINCOLN CENT ROLL + two uncirculated coins $2.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two Roll Set Professional Life Sealed $9.95 |
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2009 P and D lincoln Cent Formative years. (two coins) $1.44 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set LP3 $14.00 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PRESIDENCY P& D Two-Rolls LP4 $32.95 |
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2010 Lincoln Cent Coin Two-Roll Set LP5 BU P & D Rolls $12.50 |
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1983 -1995 PorD CH BU LINCOLN CENTS TWO(2) -YOUR CHOICE $1.49 |
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1959-1982 P or D CH BU LINCOLN CENT TWO(2) -YOUR CHOICE $1.49 |
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2009 US Mint Lincoln Two Roll Cent LP3 & LP4 Sealed Box $24.99 |
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1946 ENCASED LINCOLN CENT ~TWO DOOR FOOD MART, CHICAGO? $19.95 |
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2010 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set, Union Shield (LP5) $15.96 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Professional Life” LP3 $11.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET *FORMATIVE YEARS* (LP2) $31.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENTS TWO ROLL SETS 4-P& 4-D ALL 2009 CENT $34.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set Presidency LP4 SOLD OUT $21.99 |
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2009P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PRESIDENCY” – LP4 $19.99 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET *PRESIDENCY* (LP4) 12/03 $15.95 |
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2010 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll “Preservation of the Union” $14.99 |
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2009 P & D Mint Lincoln Cent Log Cabin Two Roll Set $8.98 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET P&D ** LOG CABIN** $12.95 |
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2009 P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET *PRESIDENCY* $9.95 |
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2009 P&D LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET *PROFESSIONAL* $9.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET P&D **FORMATIVE YEARS** $9.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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2 2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Sets Professional Life LP3 $22.49 |
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2010 LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET (LP5) 4/16 $14.95 |
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2009-LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET “PRESIDENCY” (LP-4) $17.95 |
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2009 P&D MINT LINCOLN CENT LOG CABIN TWO ROLL SET LP1 $239.00 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PRESIDENCY P& D Two-Rolls LP4 $32.95 |
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TWO 1955 S LINCOLN WHEAT CENT PENNIES WHOLESALE CQ042 $1.00 |
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LINCOLN HEAD CENT COLLECTION STARTING 1941 NUMBER TWO $34.95 |
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LINCOLN HEAD CENT COLLECTION STARTING 1941 NUMBER TWO $34.95 |
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LINCOLN HEAD CENT COLLECTION STARTING 1941 NUMBER TWO $34.95 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Two-Roll Set “Professional Life” (LP3 $19.99 |
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2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years P&D Two-Roll Set LP2 $32.95 |
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2009-LINCOLN CENT TWO ROLL SET “PRESIDENCY” (LP-4) $19.95 |
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2009 P & D Mint Lincoln Cent Log Cabin Two Roll Set $8.98 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT PROFESSIONAL LIFE P&D Two-Rolls LP3 $32.95 |
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WHITMAN LINCOLN HEAD CENT COLLECTION NUMBER TWO 1941-68 $39.95 |
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2009 LINCOLN CENT TWO-ROLL SET “PROFESSIONAL LIFE” LP3 $15.95 |
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Whitman Harris Lincoln Cent #2 Folder (1941-1974) $3.82 Whitman Lincoln Cent #2 Folder (1941-1974) Whitman brand, folder opens flat for all-at-once viewing and includes data pertaining to the coins it holds. Lincoln #2 1941-1974, 90 openings.Great Southern Coins, your source for Quality Coins and Wholesale Coin Supplies… |
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Whitman Harris Lincoln Mem. Cents #2 Folder (1999- ) $3.79 Harris Lincoln Mem. Cents #2 Folder (1999- ) Great Southern Coins, your source for Quality Coins and Wholesale Coin Supplies… |
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Proof Lincoln Cent Set 1968-S to 2008-S including 81-S ty2 (43pc.) Golden Eagle Coins specializes in a wide variety of Gold & Silver Bullion Products. Our large inventory caters to both the Bullion Investor as well as the collector. We offer every date and size of American Gold & Silver Eagles and carry large quantities of Canadian Maple Leafs, Krugerrands & Silver Bars. Feel free to use our site for all your indications of the Gold & Silver market. Our quotes co… |
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Lincoln Cents Folder #2, 1941-1974 $1.15 Whitman Publishing offers all sorts of books, albums, folders and supplies for all your coin collecting from pennies to dollars…. |
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Lincoln Memorial Cents Number Two: Collection Starting 1999 $2.99 A new foil-stamped addition to the classic line of Whitman Coin Folders. The Lincoln cent was the first regualr U.S. coin to portray a specific individual and was introduced in 1909 to memorialize the centennial of Lincoln’s birth. In 1959 the original reverse design was replaced with the Lincoln Memorial in recognition of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. All Whitman Coin Folders f… |
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Lincoln Memorial Cents: Collection 1959 to 1998 (Official Whitman Coin Folder) $1.22 Whitman Publishing offers all sorts of books, albums, folders and supplies for all your coin collecting from pennies to dollars…. |
