1954 1C, BN (Regular Strike)

Series: Lincoln Cents 1909-1958

PCGS MS66BN

PCGS MS65BN

PCGS #:: 2813

Designer:: Victor David Brenner

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 19.00 millimeters

Weight:: 3.11 grams

Mintage:: 71,640,050

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

Auction Record:: $8,100 • MS67BN • 12-05-2021 • eBay

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - 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.
All Grades	7,000,000	R-1.0	26 / 143 TIE	29 / 146 TIE
60 or Better	7,400	R-3.5	90 / 143	92 / 146
65 or Better	3,700	R-4.2	83 / 143 TIE	83 / 146 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	7,000,000
60 or Better	7,400
65 or Better	3,700

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-1.0
60 or Better	R-3.5
65 or Better	R-4.2

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	26 / 143 TIE
60 or Better	90 / 143
65 or Better	83 / 143 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	29 / 146 TIE
60 or Better	92 / 146
65 or Better	83 / 146 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS66BN		As PCGS MS66RB #40375451. GreatCollections, January 10, 2021, Lot 928554 - $321.75. As PCGS MS66BN #41202675. "The Lincolncentman Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#1 PCGS MS66BN

As PCGS MS66RB #40375451. GreatCollections, January 10, 2021, Lot 928554 - $321.75. As PCGS MS66BN #41202675. "The Lincolncentman Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

Charles Morgan:

1954 Lincoln Cent

The 1954 Lincoln Cent (RD #2815) was struck during a period of economic belt-tightening as the nation navigated a ten-month post-Korean War recession. The downturn was exacerbated by post-war demobilization and policy friction between the Eisenhower Treasury and the Federal Reserve, which tightened monetary policy to stave off inflation. For its part, the Bureau of the Mint reduced its workforce by 10% and prepared to close the Seattle Assay Office and suspend coinage operations at the San Francisco Mint, measures that were carried out the following year.

With a mintage of just 71,640,050 coins, the 1954 Lincoln Cent represents the lowest regular-issue emission from the Philadelphia Mint since the Great Depression. Output would never fall this low again throughout the denomination's circulating history.

The issue is notorious for weak strikes and mushy details, with many surviving Mint State specimens struck from tired, overused dies. PCGS did not certify its first PCGS MS67RD example until 2002, and it took more than a decade for the second and third to enter the Population Report. As of late October 2026, the Condition Census for Superb Gems stands at just under 30 examples, which is far too few to satisfy the competitive demand among high-end Lincoln Cent registry collectors.

* * *