1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

The 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof is a particular Proof putting of the Lincoln Memorial Cent that the United States Mint produced on the San Francisco Mint for inclusion within the 1980 United States Proof Set.

The coin is one in all six included within the set, which is most recognized for its inclusion of the failed Susan B. Anthony Greenback. These units had a face worth of $1.91 and had been bought at an preliminary value of $10 per set (46.22 in 2024 inflation-adjusted {dollars}).

How A lot Is the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof Price?

Like all trendy cash, the worth of the 1980-S Lincoln Cent is set by a number of components.

If the coin is bought in its unique authorities packaging, the cent’s worth will not be damaged out individually however factored into the general worth of the whole set. Even with the novelty of the 1980-S Susan B. Anthony Greenback, the 1980 United States Proof Set has been a historic loser for collectors, promoting right this moment for underneath $8 every. If damaged out, the unimpaired 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof may promote for $2 or $3.

As a licensed coin, the 1980-S Lincoln Cent is considerably problematic. As a result of it’s a copper coin, cents are extremely inclined to modifications to their floor chemistry. Over time, this manifests in several methods, together with copper spots, hazing, and a mellowing of the coin’s unique shade. These components cut back the yield of Proof 69 and Proof 70 cash.

Proof 69 examples typically commerce for underneath $10 every, which is often beneath the price of submission, even in bulk. This makes Proof 70 the one worthwhile grade for submitters. As time passes, the inhabitants of 70s for this date will rise. But with over 3.5 million units produced, the licensed inhabitants won’t ever precisely mirror the general availability or shortage of the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof in any given grade.

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Market Information and Noteworthy Specimens

Among the many first 16 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proofs graded by PCGS was a run of 13 70s (#7706695-#7706709) from one bulk submission.

Heritage Auctions’ on-line archives embrace a number of listings of those cash within the 2003-2004 time-frame, which we take as their preliminary public choices. Adjusting for inflation, these cash traded for considerably more cash than the 1980-S Proof 70s supplied within the second wave of public auctions beginning in 2016. At this level, the PCGS inhabitants had elevated to 33 items in “good” situation. At this level, the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof 70 cash had been buying and selling at 40% off or extra from earlier highs. A June 2024 sale at $873 for one of many bulk 13 represents a lower in worth of greater than 85%.

The doubling of the coin’s inhabitants is essentially guilty. It took 15 years for the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof PCGS PR70DCAM inhabitants to double from 16 to 32. It has taken lower than six years for the full to double once more. If this tempo continues, count on to see the PCGS inhabitants exceed 100 items by the top of 2026. If that occurs, we count on the value to maneuver to about $500-$600.

Prime Inhabitants: PCGS PR70DCAM (75, 11/2024), NGC PF70UCAM (13, 11/2024), and CAC PR69DCAM (0:2 stickered:graded, 11/2024).

• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706704: Stack’s Bowers, February 3, 2021, Lot 92022 – Passed; Stack’s Bowers, April 14, 2021, Lot 93088 – $2,040; GreatCollections, June 23, 2024, Lot 1602390 – $873.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706708: Stack’s Bowers, April 12, 2023, Lot 91196 – $360. Coin has developed haze. Holder exhibits indicators of improper storage.
• NGC PF70UCAM #5835335-001: Stack’s Bowers, April 12, 2023, 91197 – $800 Reserve Not Met.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706698: Heritage Auctions, March 20, 2003, Lot 5266 – $3,565; “The William Bickel Assortment, Half One,” Heritage Auctions, July 27, 2005, Lot 5379 – $2,530; “The Stewart Blay Purple Copper Assortment of Lincoln Cents,” GreatCollections, September 11, 2022, Lot 1204188 – $2,257.88.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #36448389: Heritage Auctions, December 7, 2019, Lot 7104 – $1,140.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #36879792: Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2019, Lot 7188 – $1,080.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #36252732: Heritage Auctions, February 3, 2019, Lot 7165 – $900.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #31416891: Heritage Auctions, April 6, 2017, Lot 17228 – $998.75; “The 5 Generations of Eby Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, January 13, 2019, Lot 7358 – $1,440.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706709: Heritage Auctions, December 13, 2018, Lot 3160 – $3,120.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706696: Heritage Auctions, June 29, 2005, Lot 5168 – $2,300; Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2017, Lot 8493 – $822.50.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #33276821: Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2016, Lot 3899 – $1,292.50.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706707: Heritage Auctions, September 22, 2005, Lot 1210 – $2,760.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #07706695: Heritage Auctions, July 20, 2004, Lot 5347 – $1,380.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706703: “William Bland Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2003, Lot 5833 – $3,680; “The I.S. Memorial Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, July 26, 2003, Lot 5832 – $1,495.
• PCGS PR70DCAM #7706702: Heritage Auctions, July 29, 2002, Lot 357 – $1,523.75; Heritage Auctions, November 21, 2002, Lot 5607 – $2,530.

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Design

Obverse:

The obverse of the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof was designed by Victor David Brenner and seems largely because it did when the kind was first minted in 1909. The principle distinction between the fashionable obverse versus the 1909 model is the placement of Brenner’s initials, V.D.B., which had been added underneath Lincoln’s bust in 1918 after their removing from the reverse in late 1909. The 12 months 1980 seems to the appropriate of Lincoln, and the S mintmark of the San Francisco Mint seems beneath the date. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST seems above the president, and behind him (viewer’s left) is the phrase LIBERTY.

Reverse:

Frank Gasparro designed the 1959 Lincoln Memorial reverse, changing the unique 1909 Brenner wheat stalk design. Gasparro’s initials FG seem on the lower-right aspect of the Lincoln Memorial. The denomination written out as ONE CENT is beneath the Memorial and alongside the rim, whereas the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA runs alongside the highest half of the reverse alongside the rim. Between the highest of the Lincoln Memorial and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Edge:

The sting of the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof is apparent or easy.

Lincoln Memorial Cent Designers

Lithuanian-born coin designer Victor David Brenner is greatest recognized for his iconic design for the Lincoln Cent (1909-Current) (View Designer’s Profile).

Frank Gasparro was an American medalist and coin designer. He joined the Mint’s Engraving Division in 1942 underneath John R. Sinnock and labored underneath Gilroy Roberts as Assistant Engraver. Gasparro succeeded Roberts as Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint on February 23, 1965, and served till January 16, 1981. He died on September 29, 2001 (View Designer’s Profile).

1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof Specs

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