Price Guide for 2011 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $83.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.00 – $667.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $585.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $312.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $575.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $425.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $201.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $390.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $38.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.25 – $355.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $75.00
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eBayUncirculated: $57.66
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $25.00 – $95.00
Design and Specifications of the 2011 Cent
The 2011 Lincoln Cent continued the Union Shield design on the reverse, which was introduced in 2010 to commemorate the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth and the centennial of the Lincoln Cent. This design replaced the long-standing Lincoln Memorial reverse that had been in use since 1959.
The Union Shield symbolizes President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single, unified country. It features 13 vertical stripes joined by a horizontal bar at the top, representing the 13 original states united in a single compact union.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D, S |
| Composition | 99.2% zinc, 0.8% copper |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln portrait, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Union Shield, designed by Lyndall Bass |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 2011 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for uncirculated examples. Coins in Mint State (MS) grades command premiums, with those grading MS67 or higher being particularly desirable.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with sharp details are more valuable.
2. Luster: Coins with original mint luster are preferred.
3. Surface preservation: Absence of contact marks, scratches, or other imperfections increases value.
4. Color: For copper-plated zinc cents, original red color is most desirable, followed by red-brown, and then brown.
Mintage: 2,402,400,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily for uncirculated examples
Mintage: 2,534,800,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily for uncirculated examples
Mintage: 1,853,584
Rarity Scale: Common for proofs
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in most proof grades, scarce in PR70
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, collected as part of proof sets
Additional factors that can affect the value of 2011 Lincoln Cents include:
1. Die varieties: While no major varieties are known for this year, any discovered could be valuable.
2. Proof coins: The San Francisco proofs, especially those graded PR69 or PR70, command higher premiums.
3. First Day of Issue: Coins certified as First Day of Issue may carry a small premium.
4. Full Steps: For uncirculated coins, those with fully visible steps on the Lincoln Memorial (visible under magnification on the reverse) may be more valuable to specialized collectors.
Overall, while 2011 Lincoln Cents are generally common, high-grade examples and proofs can still be of interest to collectors focusing on modern coinage or completing date and mint mark sets.
