2010-S Lincoln Cent Shield PR69DCAM
The 2010-S Lincoln Cent Shield marks an important change in the modern Lincoln Cent series, featuring the new Union Shield reverse that replaced the long-running Lincoln Memorial design. Struck at the San Francisco Mint as a proof issue, this example has been professionally certified PR69DCAM by PCGS, placing it just one grade point below the perfect PR70 grade.
The obverse retains Victor David Brenner’s iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln, while the new reverse was designed by Lyndall Bass. The Union Shield carries the inscription “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” along with the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation highlights the attractive contrast between the frosted design elements and deeply mirrored proof fields.
The coin is composed of copper-plated zinc, measures 19.00 mm in diameter, and weighs 2.50 grams. A total of 1,689,216 examples were minted at San Francisco. The 2010-S Shield cent was included in the 2010 U.S. Mint 14-Coin Proof Set, making it the first proof Lincoln Cent to feature the new Shield reverse.
This particular example is PCGS certification #55960843, with PCGS #416682, and carries a grade of PR69DCAM. The population figures supplied for this coin list 6,646 examples graded PR69DCAM and 640 graded higher.
With its near-perfect grade, Deep Cameo contrast, and significance as the first year of the Shield reverse in the Lincoln Cent proof series, this 2010-S PR69DCAM is an excellent addition to a modern Lincoln Cent collection, Shield reverse set, or U.S. proof collection.
