Is there a story behind 1968 Lincolns?

Weiss · March 22, 2005 10:57AM

You can pick them out without even seeing the date. They're so well struck that they border on high relief. Can that really just be my perception, or is there a story behind it?

kranky · March 22, 2005 11:00AM

My perception is that they have the mushiest obverse strikes of any Lincoln, with legends merging into the rim, and many Uncs look to have VF details.

dan383 · March 22, 2005 1:12PM

No story that I know of . The 1968-s does have the lowest mintage of any of the lincoln memorial's , you have to go back to 1958-p for a lower mintage . I noticed that back when I was young and started hoarding unc. rolls . I probably have a couple hundred rolls of them somewhere in my closet !

coppercoins · March 22, 2005 3:43PM

What you're seeing in 1968 cents is the last of a generation that started in the mid-1950s. It was a design that had been used, abused, and way over used and the mint knew it. The profile was worn out, the hair curls usually didn't show, the top of the ear had lost its definition, the motto merged with the rim, and the devices close to the rim were spread thick due to overuse.

In 1969 they re-engraved the design to give Lincoln a second lease on life, and make the cent look more like what Brenner had envisioned. What resulted was a crisper and sharper design with detail, and the first of many lower relief attempts to redesign VDB's work.

clackamas · March 22, 2005 5:48PM

They do look high relief but as was said the detail is nearly gone, at least on the obverse. The reverse dies are still intact and can have great detail but even on the 100% struck coins the bow tie is mush and the other design elements are worn.

Is there a story behind 1968 Lincolns?

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