Lincoln Cents

Abraham Lincoln pennies were first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. While traditional U.S. coinage had featured allegorical designs, Indian Head Pennies for example, this was the first to feature a real historical figure. The initial release drew a lot of excitement as well as some criticism, particularly of designer Victor David Brenner for the inclusion of his initials (V.D.B.) on the reverse. As a result, the design was adjusted within days to exclude his initials.

While the obverse featuring the president's profile was consistent throughout the years, there were several variations on the reverse. Wheat Pennies (1909-1958) displayed two wheat stalks framing the text "ONE CENT" in the middle. They were replaced by Lincoln Memorial Pennies (1959-2008) which depicted the iconic D.C. monument in honor of the president's 150th birthday. In 2009, the Mint issued four rotating Bicentennial Pennies celebrating different stages of Lincoln's life (Birth and Early Childhood, Formative Years, Professional Life, and Presidency). Shield Pennies (2010-2025) were the final reverse design, symbolizing the nation's strength and unity.

For several decades there was debate about the economic viability of the Lincoln head cent, as production costs had exceeded the monetary value of the coin. As a result, the U.S. Mint announced in 2025 that production of one cent coins would cease once their existing supply of planchets ran out. That happened on November 12, 2025, and the series is now officially discontinued.