In 1943, a copper shortage caused the Treasury Department to resort to the use of zinc-coated steel for the production of cents. No bronze cents were officially issued in 1943; however, a few specimens struck on leftover bronze planchets in error are known. In a similar error, some of the 1944 cents were struck on steel planchets. Both varieties are extremely rare.

In 1959, Brenner's wheat ear reverse design was dropped in favor of a new reverse depicting the Lincoln Memorial in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

Lincoln Cents (1909 - Present)

• Weight: 3.11 grams (1909-1942, 1944-1982); 2.70 grams (1943); 2.5 grams (1982-Present)
• Diameter: 19 mm
• Edge: Plain
• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (1909-1942, 1947-1961); steel coated with zinc (1943); 95% copper, 5% zinc (1944-1946, 1962-1982); 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper (1982-Present)
• Designer: Obverse, Victor D. Brenner; Reverse, Victor D. Brenner (1909-1958), Frank Gasparro (1959-Present)
• Mint Mark Location: Obverse, below date

Comments: 1,579,324 cents dated 1974 were struck on aluminum planchets as experimental pieces. None were officially placed in circulation and most were later destroyed. One resides at the National Collection in the Smithsonian Institution.

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