Lincoln Cents

The United States Mint has been producing a one-cent coin featuring Abraham Lincoln’s portrait since 1909. Lincoln cents have since become the most produced, admired and collected. Although "cent" is a more official word to use for the coin, most people simply to it as a "penny", with multiple coins as pennies.

While the obverse or heads side has always depicted Lincoln, the reverse or tails side has had seven different designs. Major changes have occurred during anniversaries of Lincoln’s birth –the first wheat cent (and the first penny itself) at his 100th, the Memorial design for his 150th, and the four 2009 designs at his bicentennial. The latest "Union Shield" depiction is expected to remain on the reverse for many years to come.

The following are links to the penny guides for major U.S. Mint issues.

Lincoln Wheat Cents (1909-1958)

Wheat Cent

Lincoln Wheat Cent

1909-V.D.B. Lincoln Cent

1909 VDB Cent

1943 Lincoln Steel Cent

1943 Steel Cent

1955 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

1955 Double Die Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cents (1959-2008)

Lincoln Memorial Cent

2009 Lincoln Cents

Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816)

Lincoln Birthplace Cent

Formative Years in Indiana (1816-1830)

Lincoln Formative Years Cent

Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861)

Lincoln Professional Life Cent

Presidency in Washington, DC (1861-1865)

Lincoln Presidency Cent

Chronicles Set

Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set

Lincoln Union Shield Cents (2010 & Beyond)

2010 Union Shield Cent

Lincoln Shield Cent