The New Lincoln Penny

The bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln will be honored in 2009 on four new pennies depicting the life of the nation's 16th president. Authorized by Public Law 109-145 (.PDF document), the four new designs celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth as well as the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln cent (penny):

• First design - "Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky"
• Second design - "Formative Years in Indiana"
• Third design - "Professional Life in Illinois"
• Fourth design - "Presidency in D.C."

The new designs will be issued in approximately three-month intervals throughout the year. The first redesigned penny will be put into circulation on February 12, 2009. These designs represent the first change in the Lincoln cent in half a century. The last time the penny underwent a significant change was in 1959, when the replaced Brenner's Wheat Cent with Frank Gasparro's depiction of the Lincoln Memorial for the sesquicentennial (period of 150 years) of Lincoln's birth.

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Obverse

Obverse: Bears the likeness of President Lincoln
Engraver: Victor D. Brenner

Uncirculated
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 406 KB]

Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky Reverse

Designer: Richard Masters
Sculptor: Jim Licaretz
Description: This reverse features a log cabin that represents Lincoln’s humble beginnings in Kentucky.

Uncirculated
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 2.06 MB]

Formative Years in Indiana Reverse

Designer: Charles Vickers
Sculptor: Charles Vickers
Description: This reverse depicts a young Lincoln educating himself while working as a rail splitter in Indiana.

Uncirculated
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 1.23 MB]

Professional Life in Illinois Reverse

Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Sculptor: Don Everhart
Description: This reverse depicts the young professional Abraham Lincoln in front of the State Capitol in Illinois.

Uncirculated
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 1.36 MB]

Presidency in DC Reverse

Designer: Susan Gamble
Sculptor: Joseph Menna
Description: This reverse features the half finished United States Capitol dome.

Uncirculated
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 1.75 MB]