Obverse of a Lincoln cent

The Lincoln cent is the current one cent coin used in the United States. It was adopted in 1909, replacing the Indian head cent; its obverse, featuring a bust of Abraham Lincoln, has been in continuous usage, while its reverse was changed in 1959 to its current design which includes the Lincoln Memorial. There are more one-cent coins produced than any other denomination, which makes the Lincoln cent a familiar item. In its life span, this coin has weathered two world conflicts, one of which changed it materially, because metals play a vital part in any war effort. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (726x744, 934 KB) Source United States Mint Date 2006-04-06 Author United States Mint Permission File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates Lincoln... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (726x744, 934 KB) Source United States Mint Date 2006-04-06 Author United States Mint Permission File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates Lincoln... The United States one-cent coin, commonly called a penny, is a unit of currency equaling one-hundredth of a United States dollar. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Indian Head cent The Indian Head one cent coin was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. ... The terms obverse and reverse apply almost exclusively to currency, and most often specifically to coins; they are usually described with less precision as, respectively, the front and back sides, or with regard to a coin tossed to produce a random choice between two things, heads and tails. They can... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was an American politician who served as the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Lincoln Memorial at night. ...

History

This section details compositional and design-related changes in the history of the Lincoln cent design of the United States cent.

Obverse design

When the Lincoln one-cent coin made its initial appearance in 1909, it marked a radical departure from the accepted styling of United States coinage, as it was the first regular coin to bear a portrait other than the mythical Liberty, which appeared on most pre-1909 regular coins. (Even the so-called "Indian Head" of the Indian Head cent it replaced depicted Liberty as a Native American; the same concept was later used for the Sacagawea dollar since there are no known portraits of Sacagawea.) Previously, a strong feeling had prevailed against using portraits on coins in the United States, but public sentiment stemming from the 100th anniversary celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birth proved stronger than the long-standing prejudice. Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Top row: Sacagawea Dollar, Lincoln Cent, and Roosevelt Dime. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, refers to the classical conception of the Goddess Liberty. ... Indian Head cent The Indian Head one cent coin was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ... The Sacagawea dollar is the current United States dollar coin. ... Sacagawea (Sakakawea, Sacajawea, Sacajewea; see below) (c. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was an American politician who served as the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ...

A variety of privately-minted tokens bearing Lincoln's image circulated as one-cent pieces during Lincoln's presidency; legitimate coinage had become scarce during the Civil War. These early tokens undoubtedly influenced the denomination, appearance, size, and composition of Lincoln cents. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total...

The only person invited to participate in the formulation of the new design was Victor David Brenner. President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with the sculptor's talents that Brenner was singled out by the President for the commission. The likeness of President Lincoln on the obverse of the coin is an adaptation of a plaque Brenner executed several years earlier which had come to the attention of President Roosevelt. Victor David Brenner (1871 – 1924) was an American artist and sculptor (born in Lithuania) whose relief image of Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of the centennial of the sixteenth presidents birth so impressed President Theodore Roosevelt that Brenner was invited to design a new penny. ... Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. ...

In addition to the prescribed elements on U.S. coins -- LIBERTY and the date -- the motto In God We Trust appeared for the first time on a coin of this denomination. Of interest also is the fact that the United States Congress passed the Act of March 3, 1865, authorizing the use of this motto on U.S. coins, during Lincoln's tenure in office. In God We Trust on the twenty dollar bill In God We Trust is the national motto of the United States of America. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate Dick Cheney, R, since January 20, 2001 Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R, since January 6, 1999 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups (as of January 4, 2005 elections) Democratic Party Republican Party... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Even though no legislation was required for the new design, approval of the Secretary of the Treasury was necessary to make the change. Franklin MacVeagh gave his approval on July 14, 1909, and not quite three weeks later, on August 2, the new coin was released to the public. The United States Secretary of the Treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, concerned with finance and monetary matters, and, until 2003, some issues of national security and defense. ... Franklin MacVeagh (November 22, 1837–July 6, 1934) was an American banker and Treasury Secretary. ... July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ...

In 1918, after the controversy over Brenner's name and initials on the reverse had died down, his initials were placed on the obverse with no further controversy. They are to be found in minute form on the rim, just under the shoulder of Lincoln. Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Reverse design

Reverse of a Lincoln Cent from 1909 to 1958

Reverse of a Lincoln Cent since 1959

Detail of reverse showing Lincoln statue

A study of three models for the coin's reverse resulted in the approval of a very simple design bearing two wheatheads in memorial style. Between these, in the center of the coin, are the denomination and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while curving around the upper border is the national motto, E Pluribus Unum, Latin for "Out of Many, One." U.S. Lincoln Wheat penny (reverse) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... U.S. Lincoln Wheat penny (reverse) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (999x989, 212 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (999x989, 212 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. compactum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 For the indie rock group see: Wheat (band). ... E pluribus unum is includeds in the Great Seal of the United States E pluribus unum was one of the first national mottos of the United States of America. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ...

The original model bore Brenner's name on the reverse, curving along the rim below UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Before the coins were issued, however, the initials "VDB" were substituted because officials at the United States Mint felt the name was too prominent. After the coin was released, many protested that even the initials were conspicuous and detracted from the design. It has also been claimed that some thought the "VD" stood for "venereal disease", then a common but taboo term for sexually transmitted diseases; though few if any records support that idea, the taboo itself might have inhibited any mention of it in records of that time. Because the coin was in great demand, and due to the fact that to make a change would have required halting production, the decision was made to eliminate the initials entirely. The United States Mint is responsible for producing and circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. ... (STDs) — also known as sexually transmissible diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or (infrequently) venereal diseases (VD) or social disease — are diseases or infections that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex. ...

Thus in 1909 the U.S. had six different pennies: the 1909 and 1909-S Indian Head cents, and four Lincoln coins: 1909 VDB, 1909-S VDB, 1909 and 1909-S. In all cases the Philadelphia mintages far exceeded the San Francisco issues. While the smallest mintage is the '09-S Indian, the '09-S VDB is the key Lincoln date, and hence is most valuable. Its mintage of 484,000 is only 1.7% of the plain VDB. Indian Head cent The Indian Head one cent coin was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... Nickname: The City by the Bay; Fog City Location of the City and County of San Francisco, California Coordinates: Country United States of America State California City-County San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Area    - City 122 km²  (47 sq mi)  - Land 121. ...

On February 12, 1959, a revised reverse design was introduced as part of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. No formal competition was held. Frank Gasparro, then Assistant Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint, prepared the winning entry, selected from a group of 23 models that the engraving staff at the Mint had been asked to present for consideration. Again, only the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury was necessary to make the change because the design had been in use for more than the required 25 years. February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Frank Gasparro (August 26, 1909 – September 29, 2001) was the 10th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and held this position from February 23, 1965 to January 16, 1981. ... The Philadelphia Mint was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce. ...

The imposing marble Lincoln Memorial provides the central motif, with the legends E Pluribus Unum and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA completing the design, together with the denomination. The initials "FG" appear on the right, near the shrubbery. In his treatise Theory and Practise of Numismatic Design, Steve Crooks states that because the Lincoln Memorial is shown in sufficient detail to discern the statue of Lincoln on the reverse of the penny, Abraham Lincoln was the only person to be depicted on both the obverse and reverse of the same United States coin, up until the release of the New Jersey state quarter in 1999, which depicts George Washington crossing the Delaware River on the reverse side. The Lincoln Memorial at night. ... Obverse of redesigned quarter The 50 State Quarters program is the release of a series of commemorative coins by the United States Mint. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was later elected the first President of the United States. ... The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. ...

Composition

At the time of World War II, the one-cent coin was composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc. These metals were denied to the Mint for the duration of the war, making it necessary for the Mint to seek a substitute material. After much deliberation, even including consideration of plastics, zinc-coated steel was chosen as the best in a limited range of suitable materials. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian... For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ... General Name, Symbol, Number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Atomic mass 65. ... For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ...

Production of the war-time cent was provided for in an Act of Congress approved on December 18, 1942, which also set as the expiration date of the authority December 31, 1946. Low-grade carbon steel formed the base of these coins, to which a zinc coating 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter) thick was deposited on each side electrolytically as a rust preventative. The same size was maintained, but the weight was reduced from the standard 48 grains to 42 grains (3.1 g to 2.7 g, due to the use of a lighter alloy. Production commenced on February 27, 1943, and by December 31 of that year, the three Mint facilities had produced 1,093,838,670 of the one-cent coins. The copper released for the war effort was enough to meet the combined needs of 2 cruisers, 2 destroyers, 1,243 Flying Fortresses, 120 field guns and 120 howitzers, or enough for 1.25 million shells for large field guns.^{[citation needed]} In the Gregorian Calendar, December 18 is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years), at which point there will be 13 days remaining to the end of the year. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... A blacksmith removing rust with sand prior to welding Rust damage in automobiles can create hidden dangers. ... A grain is a unit of mass equal to 0. ... BIC pen cap, about 1 gram. ... February 27 is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... December 31 is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ... The American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was the first mass-produced, four-engine heavy bomber. ... A field gun is an artillery piece. ... Loading a WW1 British 15 in (381 mm) howitzer A howitzer or hauwitzer is a type of field artillery. ...

On January 1, 1944, the Mint was able to adopt a modified alloy, the supply being derived from expended shell casings which, when melted, furnished a composition similar to the original, but with a faint trace of tin. The original weight of 48 grains (3.1 g) was also restored. Shell casings were no longer used after 1945. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Cartridge (firearms). ... General Name, Symbol, Number tin, Sn, 50 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 14, 5, p Appearance silvery lustrous gray Atomic mass 118. ...

The composition of the coin was changed again in 1962. Mint officials felt that deletion of the tin content would have no adverse effect on the wearing qualities of the coin, whereas the manufacturing advantages to be gained with the alloy stabilized at 95% copper and 5% zinc would be of much benefit. Congressional authority for this modification is contained in an Act of Congress approved on September 5, 1962. 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ...

During the early 1970s, the price of copper rose to a point where the penny almost contained one cent's worth of copper. This led the Mint to test alternate metals, including aluminum and bronze-clad steel. Aluminum was chosen, and in 1973 over 1.5 million such coins were struck (dated 1974) and ready for public release. A few were distributed to members of the US Congress. Subsequently; aluminum was rejected because, among other reasons, it would not show up on X-rays should it be swallowed. About a dozen aluminum cents are believed to still be in the hands of collectors, although they are now considered illegal, and may be subject to seizure by the Secret Service.^[1] One aluminum cent was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Another is in the hands of the family of a deceased U.S. Capitol police officer, and was certified as authentic in 2005.^[2] It is known as the Toven Specimen. General Name, Symbol, Number aluminium, Al, 13 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 13, 3, p Appearance silvery Atomic mass 26. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... In the NATO phonetic alphabet, X-ray represents the letter X. An X-ray picture (radiograph) taken by Röntgen An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength approximately in the range of 5 pm to 10 nanometers (corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 PHz... While hoarding coins due to their value goes back to the beginning of coinage, coin collecting as pieces of art was a later development. ... The United States Secret Service is a United States federal government law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security (prior to the founding of that department in 2003, it was under the United States Department of the Treasury). ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is a police force charged with protecting the United States Congress within the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories. ... The Toven Specimen is a privately held aluminum 1974 Lincoln cent pattern. ...

In mid-1982, the coin's composition changed again to copper-plated zinc. These coins, which are still being produced today, contain 97.6% zinc and 2.4% copper, and are minted on blanks produced for the Mint by an outside manufacturer (Jarden Zinc Products). This coin is identical in size and appearance to, but lighter than (2.50 g), the predominantly copper cent issued before 1982, but this modification saves the Government an estimated $25 million in metal costs every year. Pennies made prior to 1982 make a distinctive ringing noise when dropped on a hard surface due to their composition, while post-1982 pennies make a dull thud. The zinc core can be readily seen if the copper plating is abraded or otherwise scraped off. It might be noted that the post-1982 pennies are much more susceptible to corrosion and pitting than those made prior to 1982. Many collectors lament that even perfectly preserved post-1982 pennies protected in Mint sets have begun tarnishing, developing bubbles beneath the copper coating's surface, or even corroding. 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jarden Zinc Products is an American manufacturer of a variety of basic zinc products, including sheets of zinc as precursors to other products and coinage blanks (planchets), including the copper-coated zinc blanks presently used to mint the Lincoln cent. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Virgin Islands, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 3. ...

Upcoming changes to the Lincoln cent

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 requires that the cent's reverse be redesigned in 2009. This will result in the mintage of four different coins showing scenes from Abraham Lincoln's life in honor of the bicentennial of his birth. The Presidential $1 Coin Program (Public Law 109-145; 119 Stat. ... An anniversary is a day that commemorates an event that occurred on the same day of the year some time in the past. ...

These four scenes include:

birth and early childhood in Kentucky

formative years in Indiana

professional life in Illinois, and

presidency, in Washington, D.C.

The 2009 cents will have the metallic copper content of cents minted in 1909. Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Federal District District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack Evans... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

After 2009, yet another redesigned reverse for the Lincoln cent is supposed to be minted; this "shall bear an image emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country," and so will replace the Lincoln Memorial reverse. However, it could be argued that the Lincoln Memorial itself meets the requirements of the Act through its design elements (mainly the 36 columns representing the states at his death and the names of all 48 states when it was constructed), so it is theoretically possible that the Lincoln Memorial reverse could return. The Lincoln Memorial at night. ...

See also: Efforts to eliminate the penny

1959 US cent, first year mint with Lincoln Memorial design on reverse. ...

Mint errors specific to Lincoln cents

Through mint errors, a number of rare and valuable Lincoln Cents have been produced. Some random errors, such as an off-center strike, slightly increase the value of the coin, and are sought after by niche collectors. However some errors were systemic, and produced a number of coins with the exact same problem in the same year. These have become recognized varieties that are often extremely valuable and sought after by mainstream collectors. Mint-made errors are errors in a coin made by the mint during the minting process. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In 1922, no one-cent coins were produced by the Philadelphia Mint. However, a small number of Denver Mint worn dies which were then produced obscured the "D" mint mark, making them appear as if they had been produced in Philadelphia. This variety is known as the 1922 "plain" cent. Collectors must be wary of removed mint marks. The Philadelphia Mint was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce. ... The Denver Mint The Denver Mint is a branch of the United States Mint established in 1862 that is today operational and produces coins for circulation, as well as mint sets and commemorative coins. ... A mint mark is an inscription on a coin indicating the mint at which the coin was produced. ...

There are a few 1943 cents that were produced in bronze, as opposed to the steel/zinc composition used that year. There are 10 to 12 known to exist.^[3] Likewise, a few 1944 cents were produced in steel/zinc.

In 1955, a die error caused some cents to get struck with an obverse die which showed doubling in all of the obverse devices, producing a doubling of the date, and to a less noticeable degree, the rest of the obverse. This is known as the 1955 doubled die cent. A slightly different mechanism produced a 1972 Doubled Die cent. Doubled Dies are known in practically every date in the Lincoln cent series, but most are minor, and less impressive compared to the 1955 and 1972 Doubled Die varieties. The 1955 doubled die cent is one of the most dramatic 20th century U.S. coinage errors. ...

In 1990, about 3000 proof cents were struck at the San Francisco Mint without the "S" mint mark, making them appear as if they had been struck at the Philadelphia Mint. However, as no proof cents were struck in Philadelphia that year, they are easily distinguishable as errors, and highly valuable. A beautiful example of a proof coin. ... The San Francisco Mint is a branch of the United States Mint, and was opened in 1854 to serve the gold mines of the California Gold Rush. ...

The reverse of some Lincoln cents minted between 1998 and 2000 feature a larger-than-normal gap between the first two letters of "AMERICA." These coins, known as "Wide AM," are also valuable.

References

External links

• US Lincoln Cent by year and type - histories, photos, and more
• The Controversy over the Lincoln Penny
• Lincoln Cent Pictures