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The 2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent is one of the most searched coins that does not officially exist, and understanding why clears up a lot of confusion for anyone digging through a jar of old pennies. Every cent struck in 2013 left the U.S. Mint with a Union Shield on the reverse, not the familiar Lincoln Memorial building. If you have found or been offered a coin dated 2013 with the Memorial design, it is not a standard Mint product, and this article explains exactly what it might actually be.
This confusion is common enough that it drives thousands of searches every month. Collectors run across listings, forum posts, and even coin dealers using the phrase loosely, so it helps to separate fact from misunderstanding before you buy, sell, or get too excited about a penny in your change jar.
Is There Really a 2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent?
No. There is no official 2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent, because the U.S. Mint discontinued the Memorial reverse design after 2008. Every cent produced for circulation in 2013, from both the Philadelphia and Denver facilities, carries the Union Shield reverse that debuted in 2010.
The Lincoln Memorial reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, ran from 1959 through 2008, a 49-year production stretch that made it one of the most recognizable coin designs in American history. In 2009, the Mint replaced it temporarily with four Bicentennial designs marking Lincoln’s birthplace, formative years, professional life, and legacy. Starting in 2010, John Mercanti’s Union Shield design became permanent, and it remains on today’s cent. By the time 2013 rolled around, the Memorial reverse had been out of production for five straight years.
So if someone shows you a “2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent,” one of three things is true: it is a counterfeit, it is a privately altered novelty piece, or, in an extraordinarily rare scenario, it could be a genuine mule error where mismatched dies collided during striking. None of these possibilities means you found a jackpot penny worth a fortune, but two of the three are worth a closer look.
Why Did the Mint Stop Making the Lincoln Memorial Reverse?
The Mint retired the Memorial reverse to make room for the 2009 Bicentennial series celebrating Lincoln’s 200th birthday, then permanently adopted the Union Shield in 2010 as part of a broader redesign policy under the Coin Modernization Act. The shield reverse was intended to symbolize the preservation of the Union, tying into Lincoln’s legacy from a different angle than the literal Memorial building.
This kind of full reverse redesign is not new to the Lincoln cent series. Collectors who study year-by-year changes, like those covered in our guide to the 2017 Lincoln Memorial Cent varieties, know that mint marks, minor design tweaks, and even planchet composition shifts happen more often than casual collectors expect. The 1959 to 2008 Memorial run itself replaced the wheat ears reverse used from 1909 to 1958, so switching designs after a multi-decade run is part of the Mint’s normal practice, not an anomaly.
What Does a Genuine 2013 Lincoln Cent Look Like?
A genuine 2013 Lincoln cent has a Union Shield reverse, weighs 2.50 grams, and is struck in a copper-plated zinc composition of 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper. Philadelphia coins carry no mint mark, while Denver coins show a small “D” below the date.
Roughly 7.5 billion of these cents were struck for circulation between the two mints, plus additional coins for collector sets. That mintage number matters because it explains why the standard 2013 cent has almost no collector premium. Here is a side-by-side look at what separates the real coin from the myth.
Attribute
Official 2013 Union Shield Cent
“2013 Memorial” Coin
Reverse Design
Union Shield (since 2010)
Lincoln Memorial (1959-2008 only)
Mintage
About 7.5 billion
Zero official mintage
Weight
2.50 grams
2.50 grams if altered from a real cent
Composition
97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper plating
Same, if altered
Melt Value
Under $0.01
Under $0.01
Typical Price
Face value to $2 uncirculated
$5-$20 novelty, or $500+ if a genuine error
How Did a 2013 Memorial Cent End Up in Someone’s Change?
A coin dated 2013 with a Memorial reverse almost always got there through private alteration, not through the Mint. Someone took a real 2013 shield cent and either shaved down the shield design and stamped a fresh Memorial image, or fused a Memorial reverse from an older, worn coin onto a 2013-dated obverse.
These altered pieces are sold as novelties or, less honestly, passed off as rare finds to buyers who do not know the Memorial design ended in 2008. Sellers on online marketplaces sometimes ask $50 to $100 for these, banking on buyer excitement rather than actual scarcity. A genuine altered novelty typically only fetches $5 to $20 once buyers realize what it is.
The rare exception is a genuine mule error, where a die from one design year gets mismatched with a die from another year or design during the striking process. This is described by numismatic researchers as “extraordinarily uncommon,” and no confirmed 2013 Memorial mule has been widely documented and authenticated at this time. If you believe you have one, do not clean it, do not try to test it yourself, and send it straight to a grading service.
Genuine Mint Error vs. Altered Novelty Coin
Pros
✓ Genuine mule errors show die characteristics consistent under magnification, with no tool marks or seams
✓ Grading services like PCGS and NGC can trace strike anomalies to known Mint processes
Cons
✗ Altered coins often show tiny seams, mismatched edges, or slightly uneven metal color where two coins were joined
✗ Altered coins are common enough that most “2013 Memorial” listings online fall into this category
What Is a 2013 Lincoln Cent Worth Today?
A standard 2013 Lincoln cent is worth face value, one cent, unless it is in high uncirculated condition or carries a documented Mint error. Circulated examples pulled from pocket change have no collector value beyond their denomination.
Uncirculated coins graded MS-60 to MS-65 typically sell for $0.50 to $2 each, and full rolls of 50 coins bring $25 to $50 among collectors who want fresh, unhandled examples. Push into the MS-67 or MS-68 range and prices climb to $5 to $15, with a top-population MS-68 carrying a unique error occasionally reaching $100 or more. None of this involves precious metal value, since the coin’s zinc core carries a melt value under one cent regardless of copper and zinc commodity swings.
Coin Type or Grade
Typical Value Range
Circulated standard cent
$0.01 face value
Uncirculated MS-60 to MS-65
$0.50 – $2.00
High grade MS-67/68
$5 – $15
Doubled die obverse, circulated
$50 – $100
Doubled die obverse, MS-68
$100+
Altered “Memorial” novelty
$5 – $20
Genuine mule error (authenticated)
$500 – $5,000+
Are There Real Error Coins From 2013 Worth Money?
Yes, several genuine 2013 error types exist and some sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The most notable is a unique 2013-D cent struck over a 2013-D Roosevelt dime, a double denomination error authenticated by PCGS at AU-58 and reportedly the only one of its kind known, which has sold for more than $10,000.
Doubled die obverse errors, where Lincoln’s portrait or the date text shows visible doubling, are more attainable. Circulated examples run $50 to $100, and a well-preserved MS-68 example can exceed $100. Other 2013 error varieties include die cracks, die chips, and rim cuds, which typically sell in the $50 to $500 range depending on how dramatic and well-documented the flaw is. These are legitimate Mint mistakes, verifiable under magnification and confirmed through professional grading, unlike the manufactured “Memorial” novelties.
How Can You Check Your Own 2013 Pennies for Value?
Start by separating your 2013 cents by mint mark, then examine the reverse and date under magnification before assuming anything is rare. A few careful steps at home can rule out most false alarms without spending a dime on grading fees.
Checking a 2013 Lincoln Cent
1
Sort by mint mark Separate Philadelphia coins with no mark from Denver coins marked “D” below the date
2
Confirm the reverse Verify it shows the Union Shield, not the Memorial building; a Memorial reverse on a 2013 coin signals an alteration or possible error
3
Inspect under magnification Use a 10x or stronger loupe to look for doubling in the lettering, date, or portrait, plus cracks or unusual raised lines
4
Check the edges Look for seams or tool marks where an altered coin might have been fused from two different pieces
5
Weigh the coin A standard cent weighs 2.50 grams; unusual weight can indicate an off-metal error or tampering
6
Get a second opinion Submit anything suspicious to PCGS or NGC for professional evaluation before buying or selling based on your own assessment
If you are hunting for uncirculated examples rather than errors, ask your bank for fresh, unsearched rolls rather than digging through circulated change. This gives you the best odds of finding coins in MS-65 or better condition without competing against dozens of other collectors who already picked through that roll.
While pennies carry no meaningful metal value, it is worth remembering that other coins in your collection might. Older U.S. coinage made before 1965 often contains real silver, and even a modest gold holding responds directly to daily spot price movement. At the time of writing, gold trades around $3,968 an ounce and silver around $56 an ounce, prices that shift throughout the trading day and are worth checking before you buy or sell anything with actual precious metal content.
Does a 2013 Penny Have Any Melt Value at All?
No, a 2013 Lincoln cent has no meaningful melt value, since it is 97.5 percent zinc with only a thin cosmetic copper coating. This differs sharply from the 1982-and-earlier cents, some of which were 95 percent copper and briefly worth more in raw metal than face value during copper price spikes.
The zinc core in a modern cent is worth a fraction of a cent even when zinc prices rise, so no amount of copper price movement changes that math for 2013-dated coins. If you are chasing melt value in your pocket change, older wheat cents and pre-1982 copper cents are the ones to sort for, not anything from 2013 forward. For related context on when U.S. coinage shifted away from precious and higher-value base metals, our piece on when the Mint stopped making silver coins walks through those composition changes in more detail.
Where Can You Sell Rare or Error Lincoln Cents?
Sell documented error coins or genuine mule errors through a dealer experienced in numismatic grading, and always get a professional opinion before accepting an offer on anything claimed to be rare. Selling a coin as a “2013 Memorial Cent” without verification risks either underselling a real find or overpaying for something with no actual value.
Local coin shops can offer a quick in-person look, but not every shop specializes in error attribution or has strong buy-back relationships for numismatic material. If you are located near Salem, Oregon, visiting in person lets you get a direct, informed opinion on what you actually have. For collectors anywhere else in the country, mailing coins in through an insured mail-in service removes the need to find a local specialist at all.
If your real interest is building or thinning out a broader collection rather than chasing one penny, our guide on strategies for selling silver coins covers many of the same verification and pricing principles that apply here, just scaled up to silver dollars and other denominations.
Why Work With Accurate Precious Metals for Coins and Bullion
Accurate Precious Metals has since 2012 been helping collectors and investors buy, sell, and understand coins ranging from modern cents to gold bullion, backed by over 1,000 five-star customer reviews. We are not a pawn shop. We are a dedicated precious metals dealer with a physical location in Salem, Oregon, and nationwide insured shipping for customers anywhere in the United States.
As an NGC Authorized dealer, we can help route coins that need professional grading, whether that is a suspected error cent or a stack of older wheat pennies you inherited. Our online pricing reflects live spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, so you are never guessing whether a quoted number is current. Oregon also charges no sales tax, which matters when you are comparing total cost across dealers on bullion purchases.
Beyond coins, our inventory covers gold and silver bullion, platinum and palladium products, jewelry, and diamonds, plus Gold and Silver IRA services for retirement investors who want physical metal in a tax-advantaged account. If you are ready to sell rather than buy, you can visit us in person if you are local to the Salem area, or use our mail-in service for coins and jewelry with free insured shipping and fast payment. Either way, we assess every item individually, so whether it is a bag of common cents, a suspected error coin, or gold jewelry you want appraised, you get a straightforward look at what you actually have before any money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official 2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent?
No, the U.S. Mint stopped producing the Memorial reverse after 2008 and switched permanently to the Union Shield design in 2010, so every 2013 cent carries the shield, not the Memorial.
What is a 2013 Lincoln Memorial Cent worth?
A privately altered novelty piece typically sells for $5 to $20, while a genuine, professionally authenticated mule error could reach $500 to $5,000 or more, though such errors are extraordinarily rare.
How can I tell if my 2013 penny is a genuine Mint error?
Examine it under 10x magnification for doubling, cracks, or misaligned features, confirm the reverse is the Union Shield unless you suspect a mule error, and submit anything unusual to PCGS or NGC for evaluation.
Does a 2013 penny have copper melt value?
No, the coin is 97.5 percent zinc with only a thin copper coating for appearance, so its melt value stays under one cent regardless of copper or zinc price movement.
Is the 2013-D cent struck on a dime a real error?
Yes, a unique 2013-D Lincoln cent struck over a 2013-D Roosevelt dime has been authenticated by PCGS at AU-58 and has sold for more than $10,000, with no other example currently reported.
Can I still find valuable 2013 error pennies in circulation?
It is possible but uncommon; your best odds come from examining fresh, uncirculated bank rolls rather than searching coins that have already passed through many hands.
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