1957 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD

The coin you are referencing, a 1957 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD, is a premium collector’s item that falls into the category of high-grade Proof coinage.

Here is a detailed analysis of this coin, including its historical context, grading, and value.

1957 Lincoln Cent: PCGS PR68RD

Descriptive & Historical Data (Proof Coins)

• Year and Type: This is a 1957 Lincoln Cent, featuring the classic Wheat Ears reverse design (minted from 1909 to 1958). The 1957 issue is the second-to-last year of this long-running design.
• Production Method (PR): The designation PR stands for Proof. Proof coins are specifically manufactured for collectors and are characterized by:
  • They are struck on specially prepared, highly polished planchets (coin blanks).
  • They are struck using polished dies, often multiple times, to ensure an extremely sharp, detailed design and mirror-like fields (the flat surfaces).
• Mint of Origin: All 1957 Proof Lincoln Cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and do not carry a mint mark.
• Mintage: The total mintage for 1957 Proof Cents was 1,247,952. While this is a relatively high number for a Proof issue of the era, the coins were typically sold in complete Proof Sets.

Grading and Rarity

The grade PCGS PR68RD signifies an exceptional level of quality and preservation:

• PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service): This third-party certification confirms the coin’s authenticity and professional grade, which is essential for determining its value.
• PR68 (Proof 68): This numerical grade on the 70-point Sheldon Scale classifies the coin as a Superb Gem Proof. It means the coin has a superb strike, outstanding luster, and is essentially flawless, showing only the tiniest imperfections visible upon close, careful inspection, often under magnification.
• RD (Red): This is the highest color designation for a copper coin. It confirms that the coin retains 95% or more of its original, vibrant, mint-red copper color, an indicator of excellent preservation over the decades.

Value Estimate

The value of a 1957 Proof Cent is highly dependent on its grade, especially above PR66. The PR68RD designation places it in the top tier of surviving examples.

The price range for a typical 1957 Lincoln Cent PCGS PR68RD is generally:

Key Value Drivers for High-End Coins:

• Cameo Contrast: The most significant price difference comes from the presence of strong visual contrast. A PR68 CAMEO (CAM) or PR68 DEEP CAMEO (DCAM) designation, indicating deeply frosted devices against mirror-like fields, is much scarcer and can increase the value substantially.
  • A PR68 Cameo example of the 1957 Proof Cent has auction records exceeding $800.
  • An extreme rarity, a PR68 Deep Cameo, has auction records pushing toward $30,000, highlighting the huge premium for this rare level of quality in this specific year.

If your coin has the simple “RD” color designation without a Cameo contrast, its value will be near the lower end of the Gem Proof scale. If it has a Cameo designation, its value jumps dramatically.