Coin guides

Identification and series context — not prices. Photograph both sides.

Identify a coin from a photo

• Lincoln wheat cent

  United States 1 cent, 1909–1958

  A U.S. one-cent coin with Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse. The wheat reverse was used from 1909 through 1958, then replaced by the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959.

• Lincoln memorial cent

  United States 1 cent, 1959–2008

  A U.S. one-cent coin with Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. This reverse replaced wheat ears in 1959 and was itself replaced by the Union Shield reverse in 2010 (after 2009 bicentennial reverses).

• Kennedy half dollar

  United States 50 cents, 1964–present

  A U.S. half dollar with Kennedy on the obverse, first issued in 1964. 1964 coins are 90% silver; 1965–1970 are 40% silver; later circulation issues are copper-nickel clad. The reverse is a presidential seal (with bicentennial and a few commemorative exceptions).