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1 Cent '1974 Lincoln Memorial' Pattern
| Issuer | United States Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1974 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Cent (0.01 USD) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents a frontal architectural rendering of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as engraved by Frank Gasparro. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs along the upper periphery, while the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM appears in the upper central field above the memorial building. The denomination ONE CENT is inscribed along the lower periphery, with the small initials FG visible to the right of the memorial's base in the exergue area. |
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| Additional information |
In 1973–74, the Mint produced approximately 1.5 million aluminum cents for congressional review, as copper prices had risen to the point where the one-cent coin's metal value was approaching its face value. The aluminum alternative was cheaper to produce and lighter in hand — noticeably so. Congress ultimately rejected the switch, and the Mint was ordered to recover and destroy all distributed examples. Most were returned, but a small number went unaccounted for, including one famously held for years by a congressional staffer.
Possession of surviving specimens remains legally ambiguous under federal law governing government property.