Generations of collectors have treasured the Lincoln cent, America’s most iconic and widely collected coin. In the all-new fifth edition of Lincoln Cents, award-winning numismatist Q. David Bowers presents the definitive reference guide to this enduring series, spanning 1909 to date. Updated to include the latest issues —including the new 2025 Omega cents—this edition traces the coin’s evolution from its debut through more than a century of change.
This richly illustrated volume explores the history and nostalgia behind every design change, alloy adjustment, and minting innovation. Readers will find in-depth coverage of the series’ reverse designs, insights into the minting process, practical grading guidance for both circulation and Proof strikes, and discussion of the official end of the circulating penny. Collectors will also discover strategies for building collections, identifying errors and varieties, and exploring alternative designs, including Bicentennial proposals.
Inside you'll find:
- Market values and analysis for every date and mintmark, 1909 to date
- Hundreds of high-quality photographs
- Appendices on error coins, patterns, and more
- Historical insights, such as the controversy over the placement of the designer's initials on the coin
- Coverage of 2025 Omega cents
- And much more!
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of pennies with this updated fifth edition of Guide Book of Lincoln Cents, part of Whitman’s renowned Red Book Series™. This acclaimed series spans nearly 30 volumes, each offering in-depth coverage of specific U.S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.
