1981-S Type 2 One Cent PR RD Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop

Sponsor

shop US Coins and Jewelry

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop

1981-S Type 2 One Cent PR RD Values

Details

Most 1981 proof cents are of the Type 1 variety, showcasing a closed S mintmark that was also used on 1979 Type 2 and 1980 proof Lincoln cents. However, later in 1981 US Mint officials retooled the S mintmark punches for its proof coins, creating an extremely clear S mintmark with bulbous serifs. Arppximately 10% of all 1981-S proof Lincoln cents were struck with the Type 2 mintmark, and these are much scarcer than Type 1 proofs.

Obverse: Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portait and the date postioned on the right side.

Reverse: Lincoln memorial building centered with words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on top and bottom periphery. E PLURIBUS UNUM centered above the top of the memorial.

Basic Information

GSID:

315477

Coin Date:

1981-S

Denomination:

1c / One Cent

Designation:

PR

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

4,063,083

Coinage Type:

Lincoln Cent

Coinage Years:

1959-1982

Composition:

95% copper; 5% zinc

Mint Mark:

S

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Type 2

Physical Characteristics

Weight:

3.11 gr

Weight:

0.11 oz

Strike Type:

Proof

Diameter:

19 mm

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Designer:

Victor Brenner (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Obverse Lettering:

IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1981, S

Obverse Designer:

Victor D. Brenner

Reverse Lettering:

E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Reverse Designer:

Frank Gasparro

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Coinfully
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
Over $10 Million in Rare U.S. Gold Coins in James A. Stack, Sr. Collection, Part II
Over $10 Million in Rare U.S. Gold Coins in James A. Stack, Sr. Collection, Part II
2/3/2026

The auction will be held on Tuesday, February 3 in Griffin Studios in Stack's Bowers Galleries international headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA.

Stack's Bowers Galleries Launches Premier E-Commerce Marketplace and New Collection Management Tool for Coin and Banknote Collectors
Stack's Bowers Galleries Launches Premier E-Commerce Marketplace and New Collection Management Tool for Coin and Banknote Collectors
2/3/2026

The Marketplace and Collection Management tools combine expert-verified purchasing with modern collection organization and tracking.

No Dollars? Capped Bust Half Dollars in the China Trade
No Dollars? Capped Bust Half Dollars in the China Trade
1/28/2026

According to Representative Campbell P. White, in his congressional report of 1832, the exportation of half dollars carried on steadily after 1804 and was extensive from 1811–1821.