What Does The FG On The Lincoln Memorial Cent Mean?

PCGS - Have you ever wondered what the little "FG" means on the reverse of the Lincoln Memorial cent? This alphabetical binary sits just to the right of the Lincoln Memorial edifice, immediately above the shrubbery surrounding the Washington, D.C., monument as portrayed on the coin. But those characters aren't any kind of mintmark or secret code. Rather, they are two letters symbolizing the initials of one of the most important artistic minds at the United States Mint during the latter half of the 20th century.


Lincoln Cent (Modern), 1959 1C, RD, PCGS MS67+RD

The Man Behind the Letters
The letters "FG" stand for none other than Frank Gasparro, who joined the U.S. Mint in 1942 and originally served under Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock. Gasparro rose through the ranks as a numismatic artist and eventually became chief engraver months after Gilroy Roberts retired from that role in 1964. On February 23, 1965, Gasparro became the U.S. Mint's 10th chief engraver and by that time had already notched several notable career achievements, including the creation of many medals and designing the reverses of the Lincoln Cent in 1959 and Kennedy half dollar in 1964.

He went on to add many more accomplishments to his resume, including designing the obverses and reverses of both the Eisenhower dollar and Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1971 and 1979, respectively. The Philadelphia native retired in 1981 after an illustrious 39-year career at the U.S. Mint, becoming just the second chief engraver (following his immediate predecessor, Roberts) to retire from that key position rather than passing away while in office. The gifted Gasparro lived two decades beyond the ending of his role at the U.S. Mint, dying at the age of 92 in 2001.

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