The New United States Penny
75Penny Timeline
- Indian Head Penny 1859 to 1908 - 50 years
- Lincoln Wheat Penny 1909 to 1958 - 50 years
- Lincoln Memorial Penny 1959 to 2008 - 50 years
- Lincoln 200th Anniversary coins - 2009
The Lincoln Penny
In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned American sculptor and artist, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to prepare designs for a new cent coin. Saint-Gaudens' design for the front of the coin featured a flying eagle motif. However, this design was scrapped in favor of a head of Victory in profile wearing an Indian headdress. Saint-Gaudens and Roosevelt liked this design so much that they used it instead on the $10 coin in 1907 instead. Saint-Gaudens died before completing a penny design.
In 1909, Victor David Brenner made the famous bust of Lincoln based on a photograph taken by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady's Washington photographic studio on February 09, 1864. Lincoln was chosen as the subject for the new penny since 1909 was the centennial of his birth> Brenner's design was used for the new penny.
Until the appearance of Brenner's design, no person (living or dead) had ever appeared on a U.S. coin made for general circulation to the public.
The early versions of the Lincoln Cent featured Brenner's initials (V.D.B.) near the bottom of the back of the coin. This caused quite a stir and was considered offensive to some and the initials were removed later in 1909. In 1918, the initials re-appeared, this time hidden on the truncation of Lincoln's bust on the front of the coin. (That's a collector's tip for you.)
100 Years Later
The year 2009 was chosen as the date for the new penny or cent to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth, and the 100th anniversary of the first Lincoln coin.
This US Mint has revealed the new redesign and they depict four scenes from Abraham Lincoln's life covering the following time periods:
- 1809 to 1816 depicting Lincoln's birth and childhood in Kentucky (launched Feb 12, 2009 in Hogdenville, Kentucky)
- 1816 to 1830 depicting Lincoln's formative years in Indiana (launched May 14, 2009 in Lincoln City, Indiana)
- 1830 to 1861 depicting Lincoln's professional life in Illinois (scheduled to be launched Aug 13, 2009)
- 1861 to 1865 depicting Lincoln's presidential years in Washington, DC (scheduled to be launched Nov 12, 2009)
The coins are being produced in "P" (Philadelphia) and "D"(Denver) versions, with circulating metal content. They are also producing special, copper-based (the original 1909 metal content) versions of the "P" and "D" coins for the 2009 Uncirculated Proof Sets. There will also be a special "S" (San Francisco) version of the copper cent made for the 2009 Silver Proof Set. Five of each design, for a total of twenty coins.
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PRESALE 2009 Lincoln Cent Penny Coin Log Cabin Full Roll - 50 Uncirculated Coins - PRESALE
Price: $2.79
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2009 D Lincoln Formative Years Penny Roll SECOND DESIGN
Price: $0.25
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Bass Women's Wayfarer Penny Loafer,Burgundy,8.5 M US
Price: $74.65
List Price: $89.95 |
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Pennies From Heaven (2009 Digital Remaster)
Price: $0.99
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Breyer Penny Play & Activity Set
Price: $2.99
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Penny Loves Kenny Women's Fizzy Boot,Black,9 M US
Price: $110.95
List Price: $110.95 |
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Sperry Top-Sider Toddler/Little Kid Colton Penny Loafer,Dark Brown,10 W US Toddler
Price: $54.90
List Price: $54.95 |
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CoinManage 2009 - CurrencyManage 2009 Combo Coin Collecting - Numismatic CD For Collectors: Manage Your Coin Collection (Windows Software)
Price: $79.95
List Price: $119.95 |
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Hollow Point
Price: $3.44
List Price: $7.98 |
- Official US Mint Website Announcing the New Penny
- Beware of 2009 Penny Scams! » Coin Collecting News
The new 2009 pennies still aren't circulating anywhere, judging by the research I conducted yesterday. I called 21 banks around the country Tuesday afternoon, talking mostly to supervisory tellers and ... - 2009 Lincoln Penny Mania
- 2009 Special Lincoln penny collector sets now available! | Coins For Sale
We are excited to announce our two newest products put together in honor of President Lincoln's 200th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent. - 2009 Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollars
In addition to the reverse design changes for 2009 Lincoln Cents, next year will also mark the release of a commemorative Silver Dollar to honor Abraham - 2009 Lincoln Cents | 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln Penny
2009 Lincoln Cents will have four different reverse designs to celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial. Find information, news, and designs for the new coins. - 2009 Lincoln Penny Videos | 2009 Lincoln Pennies
This page contains 2009 Lincoln Penny videos from major news outlets. While there haven’t been many (more will be added as available) these are of excellent quality. - 2009 Formative Years Lincoln Cent Doubled Dies
Coins in the News
- Indians lose game, but win coin flipGalveston County Daily News15 hours ago
SANTA FE The Indians lost against Dawson Friday but still came out winners with a flip of a coin to advance to the playoffs.
- Oscar Leroy: Streak ends for Greenwood with the flip of a coinMidland Reporter-Telegram19 hours ago
With the flip and spin of a coin, the playoff fates of Greenwood, Andrews and Seminole were decided late Friday night.
- Flip of the coin could determine playoff fatesGalveston County Daily News26 hours ago
A coin flip scenario could become a reality if Santa Fe, Manvel and Texas City finish the district season tied at 3-4.
- Palin faults coin design approved by BushFairbanks Daily News-Miner28 hours ago
•Politico says that in a speech Friday night in Wisconsin, former Gov.Sarah Palin took issue with the design of the new dollar coin, suggesting that President Barack Obama may be...
- Palin gets paranoid over 'coin conspiracy'Press TV24 hours ago
Former US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's latest comments have raised eyebrows again.
- Police: Addict used stun gun to steal laptopSanta Cruz Sentinel10 hours ago
SANTA CRUZ -- An admitted drug addict allegedly shocked a coin-laundry customer with a stun gun, then stole the customer's laptop Sunday evening so he could sell it to buy meth, police reported.
- Katt Williams Not So Funny When He's Arrested for BurglaryE! Online25 hours ago
OK, Katt Williams. Coin collecting is a hobby, not coin stealing. The fledgling numismatist has been charged with burglary and criminal trespassing following his arrest Sunday night in...
- Coin Collectors Gather in CharlestonWSAZ NewsChannel 3 West Virginia3 days ago
Coin and stamp dealers are in town to buy, sell or trade with local collectors.
Have you seen one of the new 2009 pennies yet?
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Comments
Great hub. I was excited all the way through.
A big Clap Clap Clap. :)
Ok, Ms. Candie & Mr. Moon....I fixed both of your suggestions. (PM emailed his).
Thanks to both of you! Glad you both stopped by and both enjoyed it!
Interesting to learn about this penny history, thank you
I have been immortalized in your comment. LOL
:D
Thanks Gypsy Willow! Glad you enjoyed it.
I give credit where credit is due, Mr. Moon. I like calling you that, btw. (Mostly, because I'm a big Mighty Boosh fan.....Howard Moon....get it?)
Hi ! Nice Hub !
Thank you, Horrya!
So who's gonna send me a brand new penny for my collection? :-) Actually, I may flip over to Denver later in autum, I have to remember to look at them pennies then! :-)
Cool hub KCC!
great subject, enjoyed this!
Thanks Elena and CS Alexis! I haven't seen any of the new pennies yet and they have been out since February. Hmmmmm
Go KCC!!! LOL!! The public is heard!! We loves ya K!
You're a nut, Candie!
I didn't even know to look for the new pennies, so much for the vacuum I am in......thanks, great history on the penny as well!
Thanks emohealer! I know! We need to be on the lookout for them!
Thanks for the unveiling. I was a coin collector at one time. The vdb pennies were prized, as were the steel pennies from WWII. But the granddaddy was the 1955 double die. I enjoyed this. Thanks much.
My father was a big coin collector. I always enjoyed finding the steel pennies and the wheat pennies.
I'm glad you enjoyed this James! Thanks for stopping by!
My godfather would be so psyched to hear about this! He loves to collect coins.
I'm anxious to see a real one, they haven't surfaced along my path yet. I keep looking for them, Mayhmong. Thanks for stopping by!
what?! not yet?! I wonder if they sell them on e-bay. which gives me an idea to hub about.
They do sell them on eBay.
For how much? A penny? LOL
Dream on, Mayhmong!
Completely lacks the term "In God We Trust". They have been working to remove God completely for over 500 years. This is the final yard, the moments after midnight...
Everyone is entitled to their opinion on that issue, Man from Modesto. Personally, I don't feel that it needs to be on our currency, but it doesn't offend me if it's there. It's really a non-issue for me.
I heard it is in the edge of the coin somehow.
It hasn't even been something I thought about James, but I decided to look into it and evidently it was discussed, but "In God We Trust" will remain on the front of the new penny.
I received my first new penny today in change from my daughter. So, they are circulating around!
I hate to be a spoil sport but why do we need a new penny? Why do we need any pennies? You can't buy anything with one penny. Aside from the fact that they are quaint and cute.....
Have you lost the kid in you, Dolores? I use pennies all the time and I pick up every penny I see!






















Candie V says:
4 months ago
You could add what the D and P stand for and what it means when there is no D or P, too!! Great hub!