The 1968 Lincoln Cent, when exhibiting “monster fusion toning,” stands out as an eye-catching and highly collectible piece. This one-cent coin is made of a bronze alloy composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc and tin. It features the classic Lincoln portrait by Victor David Brenner on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial by Frank Gasparro on the reverse. “Monster fusion toning” describes especially vivid, multi-hued oxidation on the coin’s surface, typically resulting in a dramatic blend of reds, blues, purples, and other colors that are highly desirable to collectors for their beauty and uniqueness.

While the 1968 Lincoln Cent was mass-produced, with well over a billion coins from each of the Philadelphia and Denver mints, most examples are common in typical circulated grades. What makes a monster toned piece valuable is not rarity in mintage, but its spectacular visual appeal and, if certified, its confirmed originality and state of preservation. Such beautiful toning is often seen on coins that have been kept in specific environments, such as original mint sets or certain storage holders, which allow the metal’s surface to oxidize in a visually striking way while remaining untampered.

Examples in “red” (RD) designation with this kind of rainbow toning—especially in high mint state grades like MS65 or better—can command considerable premiums over face value, particularly when certified by grading services and sought by collectors who specialize in toned coins. These coins combine the classic design of the Lincoln Cent with a one-of-a-kind, striking appearance, making them showcase pieces in any modern US coin collection.