1911 Lincoln Cent
Wear & Strike Notes
1911 Lincoln Cent
About This Coin
Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln cent, introduced in 1909, marked a revolutionary shift in American numismatics by placing a historical figure on circulating coinage. By 1911, the Philadelphia Mint was settling into the steady production of this iconic design, though these early-date wheat cents still retain the sharp, sculptural relief of Brenner's original model that would slowly soften in later decades.
This 1911 specimen, certified MS64BN by NGC, offers an exceptional look at the issue. While red examples are often chased for their brilliance, the brown designation on an early Lincoln represents an honest, original patina. At the Choice Mint State level, the coin retains its design crispness and underlying luster beneath a mature, chocolate-brown surface.
For the collector of early twentieth-century copper, a choice, original brown Lincoln from the series' first few years is a cornerstone. It represents the design at its aesthetic peak, preserved with the kind of quiet dignity that fits perfectly in a focused cabinet.
