The first president to appear on a United States coin was George Washington, who was featured on the 1900 Lafayette Dollar commemorative coin. This coin, however, was not meant for general circulation.
The first president to appear on a circulating U.S. coin was Abraham Lincoln. His portrait was placed on the penny in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. This was a significant shift in U.S. coinage, as it had traditionally featured allegorical figures like Lady Liberty or the American Eagle.
Who was the first president to have their face on a coin?
From my experience, Nearly two decades later, in April 1792, the U.S. dollar was created as the official American currency. The fictional Lady Liberty was the main symbol on U.S. coins at the time, but in 1909, Abraham Lincoln became the first U.S. president to appear on American money.
Who was the first American to be pictured on a US coin?
The first circulating U.S. coin that featured a U.S. president was the 1909 Lincoln cent that pictured Abraham Lincoln. It was made to be used, or circulated, during everyday purchases.
Who was the only president on currency while still alive?
Good point! Only one president graced currency while not only alive, but in office. This individual was President Calvin Coolidge, who, with George Washington, commemorated the 150 th Anniversary of America’s Independence in 1926.
Who was the first real person to be put on a US coin?
In 1909, Abraham Lincoln became the first real person on a U.S. circulating coin. While the Lincoln portrait has remained the same since then, several different designs have been used on the reverse: Ears of wheat (1909 to 1958)