1951 Lincoln Cent Date Guide
Wartime economy, steady cents
1951 overview
Philadelphia (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 284,576,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (27 of 140)
Denver (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 625,355,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (12 of 140)
San Francisco (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 136,010,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (59 of 140)
Philadelphia (PR)
- Mintage
- 57,500
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (8 of 26)
1951 in history
- Cent mintage stayed strong during defense spending and suburban growth across the United States.
- Color television broadcasts began experimentally as RCA and CBS competed over technical standards.
- Douglas MacArthur was relieved of command in Korea after clashing with President Truman over war policy.
- The 22nd Amendment limited presidents to two elected terms.
- Direct-dial coast-to-coast telephone service expanded in the United States.
- J. D. Salinger published The Catcher in the Rye.
- Libya gained independence after Italian and wartime occupation.
- The first commercial computer, UNIVAC I, was delivered to the U.S. Census Bureau.
1951 Lincoln cent year notes
Unlike World War II, the Korean War did not seem to affect the availability of raw materials or manpower enough to cut production short of demand for Lincoln cents this year. All issues are readily available in BU rolls, and even original wrapped rolls are rather common.
1951 presents us with yet another year in which the Denver Mint produced far more cents than the Philadelphia Mint. One explanation for the lower numbers from the main facility is that Philadelphia had just begun minting proof coins in 1950, and was still adjusting to the new production demands during this year.
Improved technology at the Philadelphia Mint gave them the ability to produce more coins at a lower cost. As a trade off, however, quality seems to have suffered. Finding true GEM red specimens of 1951 plain cents is rather difficult, though possible. Issues from Denver and San Francisco tend to be of only slightly better quality than the Philadelphia minted coins. Incomplete, soft strikes are common, and show as softness and incomplete outlines around the O of ONE on the reverse. Later die state coins are also common.
Doubled dies aren't any more available this year than last; fewer than half a dozen are known for the date. One of these doubled dies looks almost like a carbon copy of a die from 1950 with a light spread on the bottom of the letters in LIBERTY. Doubled eyelids exist this year as well, so don't forget to check for them.
Mintmark varieties take a huge turn upward this year. Enough nice repunched mintmarks are known to make this year's branch mint coins a favorite for many roll searchers. Three different over mintmarks are known for D mint cents, and over one hundred RPMs are known for the date; three fourths of them are from the Denver Mint.
Another anomaly makes an appearance this year. While visible at times on previous years' cents, reduction lathe doubling on the front of the profile of Lincoln's bust becomes more commonplace this year. These have been reported as doubled dies a number of times, which they are not. They are the result of maladjustment on the lathe used to reduce the design from the large plaster model of the design, and are not a result of the hubbing process itself.
Machine doubling is also rather common this year, as are die chips and die breaks. It seems that the Mint was trying to get more life out of each die, as many very late die state coins have been observed that were minted with dies that are nearly falling apart.
Images/Mintage
Philadelphia (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 284,576,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (27 of 140)
Denver (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 625,355,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (12 of 140)
San Francisco (MS)
Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection
(click images above to see larger view)
- Mintage
- 136,010,000
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (59 of 140)
Philadelphia (PR)
- Mintage
- 57,500
- Mintage Ranking for Type
- (8 of 26)
1951 in history
- Cent mintage stayed strong during defense spending and suburban growth across the United States.
- Color television broadcasts began experimentally as RCA and CBS competed over technical standards.
- Douglas MacArthur was relieved of command in Korea after clashing with President Truman over war policy.
- The 22nd Amendment limited presidents to two elected terms.
- Direct-dial coast-to-coast telephone service expanded in the United States.
- J. D. Salinger published The Catcher in the Rye.
- Libya gained independence after Italian and wartime occupation.
- The first commercial computer, UNIVAC I, was delivered to the U.S. Census Bureau.
1951 cent notes
Unlike World War II, the Korean War did not seem to affect the availability of raw materials or manpower enough to cut production short of demand for Lincoln cents this year. All issues are readily available in BU rolls, and even original wrapped rolls are rather common.
1951 presents us with yet another year in which the Denver Mint produced far more cents than the Philadelphia Mint. One explanation for the lower numbers from the main facility is that Philadelphia had just begun minting proof coins in 1950, and was still adjusting to the new production demands during this year.
Improved technology at the Philadelphia Mint gave them the ability to produce more coins at a lower cost. As a trade off, however, quality seems to have suffered. Finding true GEM red specimens of 1951 plain cents is rather difficult, though possible. Issues from Denver and San Francisco tend to be of only slightly better quality than the Philadelphia minted coins. Incomplete, soft strikes are common, and show as softness and incomplete outlines around the O of ONE on the reverse. Later die state coins are also common.
Doubled dies aren't any more available this year than last; fewer than half a dozen are known for the date. One of these doubled dies looks almost like a carbon copy of a die from 1950 with a light spread on the bottom of the letters in LIBERTY. Doubled eyelids exist this year as well, so don't forget to check for them.
Mintmark varieties take a huge turn upward this year. Enough nice repunched mintmarks are known to make this year's branch mint coins a favorite for many roll searchers. Three different over mintmarks are known for D mint cents, and over one hundred RPMs are known for the date; three fourths of them are from the Denver Mint.
Another anomaly makes an appearance this year. While visible at times on previous years' cents, reduction lathe doubling on the front of the profile of Lincoln's bust becomes more commonplace this year. These have been reported as doubled dies a number of times, which they are not. They are the result of maladjustment on the lathe used to reduce the design from the large plaster model of the design, and are not a result of the hubbing process itself.
Machine doubling is also rather common this year, as are die chips and die breaks. It seems that the Mint was trying to get more life out of each die, as many very late die state coins have been observed that were minted with dies that are nearly falling apart.
Design types
Obverse design types (ODT)
-
Flat serif G obverse — ODT09 · 1922–1929 · business · 1931–1933 · business · 1935–1955 · business · 1936–1942 · proof · 1950–1955 · proof
Reverse design types (RDT)
See the design types reference. Design types identify engraved designs; when differing designs create collectible alternatives within a year, see Lincoln cent design varieties.
Mint mark types
-
Pulled Corner-D — 1946–1953 · business -
Trumpet-tail S — 1942 · business · 1945–1952 · business -
Late-Serif S — 1951–1955 · business · 1968–1970
See the mint mark types reference.
Typical values
1951 Lincoln cents from the CopperCoins series price guide (August/September 2026 edition) — approximate values only, not offers to buy or sell. Business strikes show separate BN, RB, and RD lines where priced.
Business strike
| Issue | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | EF40 | AU50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-P RB | ||||||
| 1951-P RD | ||||||
| 1951-D BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-D RB | ||||||
| 1951-D RD | ||||||
| 1951-S BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-S RB | ||||||
| 1951-S RD |
| Issue | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS60 | MS61 | MS62 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 1.15 |
| 1951-P RB | ||||||
| 1951-P RD | 4 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1951-D BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.40 | 0.45 | 1.15 |
| 1951-D RB | ||||||
| 1951-D RD | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 1951-S BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 1.15 |
| 1951-S RB | ||||||
| 1951-S RD | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Issue | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 | MS68 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.10 | 9.40 | ||
| 1951-P RB | 2.60 | 3.75 | 9.60 | 27.50 | ||
| 1951-P RD | 6.75 | 11.75 | 22 | 96.50 | 930 | |
| 1951-D BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.40 | 8.75 | ||
| 1951-D RB | 2.30 | 3.45 | 8.40 | 16.25 | ||
| 1951-D RD | 6.30 | 10.50 | 16 | 34.50 | 195 | 4,500 |
| 1951-S BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.40 | 8.75 | ||
| 1951-S RB | 2.60 | 4.05 | 9.60 | 16.25 | ||
| 1951-S RD | 6.50 | 11 | 17.50 | 33 | 265 | 10,000 |
| Issue | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | EF40 | AU50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-P RB | ||||||
| 1951-P RD | ||||||
| 1951-D BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-D RB | ||||||
| 1951-D RD | ||||||
| 1951-S BN | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| 1951-S RB | ||||||
| 1951-S RD |
| Issue | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS60 | MS61 | MS62 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 1.15 |
| 1951-P RB | ||||||
| 1951-P RD | 4 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1951-D BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.40 | 0.45 | 1.15 |
| 1951-D RB | ||||||
| 1951-D RD | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 1951-S BN | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.50 | 0.60 | 1.15 |
| 1951-S RB | ||||||
| 1951-S RD | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Issue | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 | MS68 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.10 | 9.40 | ||
| 1951-P RB | 2.60 | 3.75 | 9.60 | 27.50 | ||
| 1951-P RD | 6.75 | 11.75 | 22 | 96.50 | 930 | |
| 1951-D BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.40 | 8.75 | ||
| 1951-D RB | 2.30 | 3.45 | 8.40 | 16.25 | ||
| 1951-D RD | 6.30 | 10.50 | 16 | 34.50 | 195 | 4,500 |
| 1951-S BN | 1.45 | 1.75 | 5.40 | 8.75 | ||
| 1951-S RB | 2.60 | 4.05 | 9.60 | 16.25 | ||
| 1951-S RD | 6.50 | 11 | 17.50 | 33 | 265 | 10,000 |
Proof
| Issue | PR60 | PR61 | PR62 | PR63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 18.75 | 15.50 | 18 | 27.50 |
| 1951-P RB | 26 | 18 | 21.50 | 32 |
| 1951-P RD | 30 | 24 | 26.50 | 35 |
| 1951-P CAM | 69 | |||
| 1951-P DCAM |
| Issue | PR64 | PR65 | PR66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 31.50 | 35.50 | 44.75 |
| 1951-P RB | 35.50 | 40.75 | 53 |
| 1951-P RD | 43.75 | 49.50 | 70 |
| 1951-P CAM | 150 | 300 | 350 |
| 1951-P DCAM | 720 | 6,600 |
| Issue | PR67 | PR68 | PR69 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 86.50 | ||
| 1951-P RB | 108 | ||
| 1951-P RD | 170 | 1,650 | 2,025 |
| 1951-P CAM | 830 | 8,400 | |
| 1951-P DCAM | 30,000 |
| Issue | PR60 | PR61 | PR62 | PR63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 18.75 | 15.50 | 18 | 27.50 |
| 1951-P RB | 26 | 18 | 21.50 | 32 |
| 1951-P RD | 30 | 24 | 26.50 | 35 |
| 1951-P CAM | 69 | |||
| 1951-P DCAM |
| Issue | PR64 | PR65 | PR66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 31.50 | 35.50 | 44.75 |
| 1951-P RB | 35.50 | 40.75 | 53 |
| 1951-P RD | 43.75 | 49.50 | 70 |
| 1951-P CAM | 150 | 300 | 350 |
| 1951-P DCAM | 720 | 6,600 |
| Issue | PR67 | PR68 | PR69 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951-P BN | 86.50 | ||
| 1951-P RB | 108 | ||
| 1951-P RD | 170 | 1,650 | 2,025 |
| 1951-P CAM | 830 | 8,400 | |
| 1951-P DCAM | 30,000 |
Die varieties in the catalog
Our attribution catalog for 1951—doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and related varieties documented by die number. This is specialist research beyond regular issue Lincoln cents.
Catalogued dies for 1951
Number of assigned dies in the CopperCoins catalog, by mint and variety type. Click a count to search that group.
| Mint | DO Doubled Die Obverse | MM Repunched Mint Mark | OM Over Mint Mark | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (P) | 3 | N/A | 0 | 3 |
| Denver (D) | 4 | 71 | 3 | 78 |
| San Francisco (S) | 2 | 30 | 0 | 32 |
| All mints | 9 | 101 | 3 | 113 |
OMM listings for this year
Catalog results
1951D•1OM•001
D/S West
Shows as a bump out the left side of the D where the upper curve protrudes. Earlier die states also show a curve to the southeast and a lower serif. Old CPG #21.5
Cross references
- WEXLER: WRPM-077
- CONECA: OMM-001
- FIVAZ/STANTON: FS-511
All prices and market estimates are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not appraisals, guarantees, or offers to buy or sell. See the Terms of Use for the full Price Guide and Valuation Disclaimer.
1951D•1OM•002
D/S South
The secondary S punching shows well as a hook to the south of the primary D mintmark. Old CPG #21.52
Cross references
- WEXLER: WRPM-078
- CONECA: OMM-002
- FIVAZ/STANTON: FS-512
- CRAWFORD: CRPM-002
All prices and market estimates are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not appraisals, guarantees, or offers to buy or sell. See the Terms of Use for the full Price Guide and Valuation Disclaimer.
1951D•1OM•003
D/S South
An S appears under the bottom of the mintmark.
Cross references
- WEXLER: WOMM-001
All prices and market estimates are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not appraisals, guarantees, or offers to buy or sell. See the Terms of Use for the full Price Guide and Valuation Disclaimer.
1951D•1OM•001
D/S West
Shows as a bump out the left side of the D where the upper curve protrudes. Earlier die states also show a curve to the southeast and a lower serif. Old CPG #21.5
Read more
1951D•1OM•002
D/S South
The secondary S punching shows well as a hook to the south of the primary D mintmark. Old CPG #21.52
Read more
1951D•1OM•003
D/S South
An S appears under the bottom of the mintmark.
Read more
Variety plate coin videos
Videos on our YouTube channel that show when the plate coins for these dies were found in CopperCoins roll reveal videos.
