1985 1C, RD MS68+ RD Certification #34033385, PCGS #3071

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

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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PCGS #

3071

Designer

Victor David Brenner/Frank Gasparro

Edge

Plain

Diameter

19.00 millimeters

Weight

2.50 grams

Mintage

5648489887

Metal

Copper-plated Zinc

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

1476

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1694546966	R-1.0	2 / 47 TIE	11 / 95 TIE
All Grades	16945496	R-1.0	2 / 47 TIE	11 / 95 TIE
60 or Better	1694549	R-1.0	34 / 47 TIE	48 / 95 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	1694546966
All Grades	16945496
60 or Better	1694549

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-1.0
All Grades	R-1.0
60 or Better	R-1.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	2 / 47 TIE
All Grades	2 / 47 TIE
60 or Better	34 / 47 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	11 / 95 TIE
All Grades	11 / 95 TIE
60 or Better	48 / 95 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS69RD	GreatCollections, January 11, 2026, Lot 1841701 - $4,066.88. Pin-sized toning spot to the left of Memorial.
1	PCGS MS69RD	GreatCollections, September 1, 2024, Lot 1435186 - $6,131.25. Tiny planchet void to the left of Lincoln's shoulder. Faint contact above "C" of CENT.
1	PCGS MS69RD	GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1124732 – $11,812.50; "The Elite Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Top pop, pop one when offered. Virtually flawless. Pin-sized toning spot at rim under "C" of CENT.
1	PCGS MS69RD

#1 PCGS MS69RD

GreatCollections, January 11, 2026, Lot 1841701 - $4,066.88. Pin-sized toning spot to the left of Memorial.

#1 PCGS MS69RD

GreatCollections, September 1, 2024, Lot 1435186 - $6,131.25. Tiny planchet void to the left of Lincoln's shoulder. Faint contact above "C" of CENT.

#1 PCGS MS69RD

GreatCollections, August 27, 2023, Lot 1124732 – $11,812.50; "The Elite Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Top pop, pop one when offered. Virtually flawless. Pin-sized toning spot at rim under "C" of CENT.

#1 PCGS MS69RD