1911-D 1C, RB MS64RB Certification #29352069, PCGS #2445

Charles Morgan

The 1911-D Lincoln Cent

The 1911-D Lincoln Cent (BN #2444) holds a special place in American numismatics as the first one-cent coin struck at the Denver Mint, kicking off a minor-coin production tradition in the Mile High City that continues to this day. Driven by strong demand in the Rocky Mountain West, Denver struck 12,672,000 pieces, with production beginning on May 20, 1911. While this mintage is nearly triple that of the elusive 1911-S (#2447), it remains a mere drop in the bucket compared to the Philadelphia Mint's massive output that year. Because the vast majority of 1911-D cents entered heavy circulation, most surviving examples are heavily worn and lost their finer design details long ago.

Denver's 1911 Coinage: A Broader View

To put the 1911-D Lincoln Cent into historical context, it helps to look at what else the Denver Mint was (and wasn't) striking that same year: 

• Scarce Gold: Denver famously struck the scarce 1911-D Indian Head Quarter Eagle (#7943) and 1911-D Half Eagle (#8521), both of which are highly prized by collectors today. 
• Common Gold: In contrast, the 1911-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (#9158) was produced in large quantities and is widely considered a type coin.
• Silver Coinage: Dimes through Half Dollars were struck in moderate to high quantities.
• Nickels: No nickels were struck at the Denver Mint in 1911.

Collecting the 1911-D Lincoln Cent

Regardless of the coloration, the 1911-D Lincoln Cent is scarce in Gem or finer. Superb Gems are only known in Red and these are rare. Even the great Stewart Blay had to settle for a PCGS MS66+RD example, although mega collector Dell Loy Hansen was able to secure an example in PCGS MS67RD. Some Red examples exhibit light spotting, while some RB and BN examples exhibit some degree of blue and magenta toning.

Those looking for a certified "hole filler" type coin, should have no problem finding an attractive example in the PCGS AU50 or better range. 

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