Lincoln cent

Lincoln cent. It is a one-cent coin that has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909. The obverse, featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln by sculptor Victor David Brenner, was the first regular-issue American coin to depict an actual person. Its longevity has made it one of the most collected and recognizable coins in American numismatics.

History

The coin was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, replacing the Indian Head cent. The release was marked by significant public excitement and controversy, partly due to the initial inclusion of Brenner's initials on the reverse. Production has been continuous through major historical events, including both World War I and World War II, during which its composition was changed to zinc-coated steel in 1943 to conserve copper for the war effort. The United States Bicentennial in 1976 was marked with a special reverse design, and the 2009 bicentennial of Lincoln's birth featured four different reverse designs depicting stages of his life. In 2010, the Union Shield reverse was permanently adopted.

Design

The obverse design, created by Victor David Brenner, is based on a plaque he had previously crafted and features a right-facing profile of Abraham Lincoln. The inscriptions include "IN GOD WE TRUST", "LIBERTY", and the year of minting. The original reverse, used from 1909 to 1958, depicted two wheat heads in a design often called the "Wheat Ears reverse". This was replaced in 1959 by the Lincoln Memorial reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The current reverse, introduced in 2010, features a stylized Union Shield symbolizing Lincoln's preservation of the United States.

Composition and specifications

Throughout its history, the coin's metallic composition has changed several times due to economic factors and material shortages. From 1909 to 1942, and again from 1944 to 1962, it was struck in a composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc (bronze). The 1943 issue, a one-year type, was made of zinc-coated steel. In 1962, the tin was removed, creating a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Due to rising copper prices, the United States Mint changed the composition in 1982 to a copper-plated zinc core, which remains the standard today. The coin has a diameter of 19.05 millimeters, a mass of 2.5 grams, and a plain edge.

Varieties and errors

Numerous notable varieties and mint errors have occurred, making certain issues highly sought after by collectors. Key varieties include the 1909-S VDB cent, the 1914-D, and the 1931-S. The 1943 bronze cents and 1944 steel cents are famous error coins resulting from planchet mix-ups during the wartime composition change. The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse is one of the most famous error coins in American numismatics. Other collectible errors include off-center strikes, repunched mintmarks, and the 1972 Doubled Die Obverse. These varieties are meticulously cataloged by organizations like the American Numismatic Association.

Collecting

It is one of the most popular series for coin collectors in the United States and worldwide. Many collectors attempt to assemble a complete set by date and mint mark, a challenging endeavor due to the key and semi-key dates. The series is often collected in rolls, proof sets from the San Francisco Mint, or in graded slabs from services like Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Company. Special collections focus on the Wheat Ears reverse (1909-1958), the Lincoln Memorial reverse (1959-2008), the 2009 Bicentennial cents, or error coins. The reference book "A Guide Book of United States Coins" (the "Red Book") is a standard catalog for the series.

Category:Coins of the United States Category:1909 introductions