1985 1C, RB (Regular Strike)

The 1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent

In 1985, the Philadelphia Mint and the West Point Bullion Depository joined forces to produce a massive run of Lincoln Memorial Cents. Philadelphia struck 4,951,904,887 coins, while West Point contributed an additional 696,585,000. Because neither facility used a mintmark for this issue, the combined output is colloquially known to collectors as the "Philadelphia strike" (#3071).

This year marked a technological milestone for the United States Mint: the formal adoption of chrome-plated dies for business strike coins. While the Mint began experimenting with physical vapor deposition to apply thin chrome plating in the early 1970s, the 1985 issue saw the standardized use of this process to extend die life. The result was a more consistent appearance and a distinct "look" that remains a hallmark of modern business strikes today.

For collectors seeking high-quality specimens to submit to PCGS for grading, the 1985 Uncirculated Coin Set remains the best source. The Mint sold 1,710,571 of these sets—originally priced at $7—which contain coins struck from fresh dies. The resulting coins look "fresher" than those issued into general circulation. Today, these sets often sell for less than $15, providing an affordable gateway to "Superb Gem" examples. While loose coins from these sets can be found for under $1, the vast majority of top-tier certified coins likely originated from these original Mint packages.

Collecting the 1985 Lincoln Cent

The market for the 1985 Lincoln Cent is defined by conditional rarity. While raw uncirculated coins are worth very little, collectors will pay a significant premium for specimens graded PCGS MS68RD or higher, with recent sales consistently reaching or exceeding $100.

It is doubtful that coins finer than PCGS MS69RD will ever appear; however, additional examples of this nearly perfect grade are likely to surface in the coming years as the pursuit of "top pop" coins continues.

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