Bidspirit auction | 1981 United States Lincoln Memorial

1981 United States Lincoln Memorial Cent Error with Silver-Toned Finish - This 1981 United States Lincoln Memorial Cent is an error specimen featuring a metallic silver-colored finish across both faces. The coin adheres to the standard Lincoln Memorial design. The obverse displays a right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln with the impressed inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST along the top arc, LIBERTY to the left, and the date 1981 to the right. There is no mint mark visible below the date. The reverse depicts the Lincoln Memorial building with the impressed inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the top arc, E PLURIBUS UNUM positioned above the monument, and ONE CENT along the bottom arc. The composition is noted as an error material, deviating from the standard copper strike for this year. The coin exhibits significant surface distress and wear. The obverse is heavily marred by a series of deep, parallel diagonal scratches that cover the majority of the field and the central portrait (photo 1). Several dark oxidation spots and areas of pitting are evident in the lower-left and center-right sections of the obverse (photo 1). The reverse shows moderate circulation wear on the high relief points of the Lincoln Memorial and the lettering (photo 2). Scattered fine scratches and small nicks are present across the reverse field and along the rim (photo 2). A thin, dark copper-toned hue is visible at the extreme outer edge of the rim in some areas (photo 2).