The obverse of the coin was designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Don Everhart. The portrait of Lincoln is meant to display his strength and resolve. The image was inspired by a sculpture of Lincoln created by Daniel Chester. The obverse inscriptions include “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and “2009.”

The reverse of the coin was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. It features the last 43 words of the Gettysburg Address, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The inscription reads, “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of hte people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Additional inscriptions inlcude “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “One Dollar.” Lincoln’s signature is also reproduced.

The reverse depicts the United States Capitol Dome which is half completed. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” and the words “United States of America” and “One Cent” are included.

The designer of the reverse is Susan Gamble and the sculptor is Joseph Menna. The coin should enter circulation around November 2009.

The reverse depicts a young professional Abraham Lincoln standing before the Illinois State Capitol. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” and the words “United States of America” and “One Cent” are included.

The designer of the reverse is Joel Iskowitz and the sculptor is Don Everhart. The coin should enter circulation around August 2009.

The reverse depicts a young Abraham Lincoln taking a break from rail splitting to read a book and educate himself. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” and the words “United States of America” and “One Cent” are included.

The designer and scultptor of the reverse is Charles Vickers. The coin should enter circulation around May 2009.

The log cabin is representative of his humble beginnings in Kentucky. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” and the words “United States of America” and “One Cent” are included. The date of Lincoln’s birth 1809 is also included.

The designer of the reverse is Richard Master and the sculptor is Jim Licaretz. The coin will enter circulation on February 12, 2009.

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 Lincoln.The new commemorative coin was authorized under H.R. 2808: Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act. The Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of President Lincoln.

These numismatic coins will be minted and issued in a quantity of up to 500,000 coins. Each will have a weight of 26.73 grams, diameter of 1.5 inches, and a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. The coins will be considered legal tender in the United States.

The design of the coins will be emblematic of the life and legacy of President Lincoln. Required inscriptions include, the value of the coin, the year 2009, and the words “Liberty,” “In Gold We Trust,” “United States of America,” and “E Pluribus Unum.”

The coins will be issued in both proof and uncirculated versions from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. Each coin will carry a $10 surcharge. Funds raised from the surcharge will be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to further their work.

The design was released by the United States Mint on November 19, 2008 on the anniversary of Lincoln’s delivery of the Gettysburg Address. See larger images and more information on the 2009 Lincoln Commemorative Design.

The Lincoln Cent design was first introduced in 1909 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. The coin’s designer was Vincent D. Brenner. The obverse featured a bust of Lincoln, and the reverse featured a pair of Wheat Ears.

In 1959, to celebrate of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the reverse design was changed. It took on its familiar depiction of the Lincoln Memorial designed by Frank Gasparro.

The design will be changed once again in 2009. The four different reverse designs will each represent a different stage of Lincoln’s life.

• Birth in Kentucky (1809-16)
• Formative Years in Indiana (1816-30)
• Professional Life in Illinois (1830-61)
• Presidency in Washington DC (1861-65)

The reverse design will be changed approximately every three months throughout 2009. The obverse design will continue to bear the Lincoln Cent likeness as designed by Vincent D. Brenner.

Yesterday, the US House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that would require the US Mint to switch from a zinc and copper penny to a copper plated steel penny. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to be met with objections from some lawmakers.

The driving force behind the legislation is the rising cost of base metals that makes the production of cents and nickels a money loser for the US Mint. According to latest figures, it costs 1.26 cents to make a penny and 7.7 cents to make a nickel. Switching to primarily steel based cents and nickels could potentially save US taxpayers $1 billion over the next ten years.

The US Mint Director Ed Moy has said that the legislation requires a change in composition in too short a time frame. Furthermore the price of steel could potentially increase with the other base metals.

Coin collectors will remember the brief time period when the Lincoln Cent was primarily composed of steel. This was in 1943 when war time needs for copper precipitated the change. At that time, the steel was coated with zinc to produce pennies that were grayish/silver in color. This time around the plan is to coat the steel with copper, so the coins retain their familiar copper color.

This legislation is definitely something to watch as the Lincoln Cent approaches its 100th birthday in 2009!

At its start in 1909, the Lincoln Cent had a composition of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc. This gave the coins the traditional brownish red color typically associated with pennies. This was the same composition established for the preceding Indian Head Penny.

In 1943, the composition of the cent was changed in response to wartime needs for copper. An act of Congress approved on December 18, 1942 paved the way for “Steel Cents.” These coins were composed primarily of a low grade carbon steel base with a coating of zinc. These coins have a dull gray color. During 1943 over 1 billion steel cents were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints.

In 1944, the standard copper based composition was resumed. It should be noted that for the years 1944 to 1946, the source of copper was from expended shell casings used during the war.

In 1982, the Lincoln Cent underwent another radical change. In response to the rising cost of copper, the composition was changed to copper coated zinc, with 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. This resulted in coins which had the same appearance, but were might lighter in weight.

Recently there have been discussions about changing the composition once again as the price of zinc has risen to a level that makes cent production unprofitable for the Mint. At the moment, no definitive plans or legislation have been passed for another permanent composition change.

Next year however, there are provisions for a special composition to be used on the 2009 Lincoln Cent. The Mint has the authority to issue collector’s versions of the coins in the original composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.