The penny, or one-cent coin, has featured President Abraham Lincoln on its obverse (heads side) since 1909 . This design was introduced to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth and marked the first time a real person, rather than an allegorical figure like Lady Liberty, appeared on a regular issue U.S. coin. The image of Lincoln on the penny was designed by Victor David Brenner and has remained largely unchanged since its introduction.
The reverse (tails side) of the penny has undergone several changes throughout its history.
- From 1909 to 1958, the reverse of the Lincoln penny featured two sheaves of wheat, leading to its common nickname, the “Wheat Penny”.
- From 1959 to 2008, the reverse depicted the Lincoln Memorial, honoring Lincoln’s 150th birthday.
- In 2009, four different designs were issued as part of the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program, each representing a different stage of Lincoln’s life.
- Since 2010, the reverse features the Union Shield, symbolizing Lincoln’s role in preserving the United States as a unified nation.
Who is the person on the penny coin?
The person on the obverse (heads) of the penny is Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president. He’s been on the penny since 1909. The current design on the reverse (tails) is a Union Shield.
Who is on the penny and nickel?
Thanks for asking. The process begun in 1909 was complete in 1964, when American Presidents were featured on every regular issue circulating coin; Abraham Lincoln on the cent, Thomas Jefferson on the nickel, Franklin Roosevelt on the dime, George Washington on the quarter-dollar and John F. Kennedy on the half-dollar.
Who was on a penny before Lincoln?
The Lincoln cent is the current one-cent coin of the U.S. It was adopted in 1909 (which would have been Lincoln’s 100th birthday), replacing the Indian Head cent.