The 2009 Lincoln Cent
Well folks, we continue our story with the 2009 Lincoln Cent. In 2009, the Lincoln Cent was redesigned with new reverses. Why? Let's review the pattern. In 1909, the Lincoln cent was introduced with the wheat ears
reverse. Fifty years later, in 1959,the reverse was changed to the Lincoln Memorial.
Now it is 50 more years later, and so a redesign is in order. And so, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the
one hundredth anniversary of the Lincoln Cent, here come the new reverese designs for 2009.
2009 Lincoln Cent reverse #1: Birthplace of Lincoln
The first reverse of the 2009 Lincoln Cent depicts the birthplace of Lincoln, a log cabin in Kentucky, where Lincoln was born in 1809.2009 Lincoln Cent reverse #2: Formative years of Lincoln
The second reverse for the 2009
Lincoln cent show Mr. Lincoln sitting on a log reading a book. During this time, Lincoln was working as a rail splitter in
Indiana.
2009 Lincoln Cent reverse #3: Lincoln's professional life in Illinois
The next Lincoln cent reverse takes place in Illinois. In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of the Whig party.
In 1858, the famous Lincoln/Douglas debates were held (and contrary to popular beliefe,the result of the debate
was that Douglas won re-election to the senate). In 1860,the Republican party nominated Lincoln as a presidential candidate.
He was elected president later that year.
2009 Lincoln Cent reverse #4: The Lincoln Presidency
The final reverse coin design depcits the Lincoln presidency. The coin shows the Capitol building with the dome not
yet completed.
Metal content of the 2009 Lincoln Cents
The mint will be fiddling with the metal content of the 2009 Lincoln cents. For the coins dumped into circulation (you know,the ones no one wants -- the ones we put in the "take one leave one" cup -- those will be the standard content of 97.5% zinc, with a token 2.5% copper on the outside. Ah, but for the collectors, the mint will be issuing coins (both proof and uncirculated) in the original composition of the 1909 Lincoln Cent (95% copper and 5% tin and zinc). They should look identical.Collecting the 2009 Lincoln Cents
These coins should be struck in the billions, so you should have no trouble finding them in change. The best place to find the copper collectors versions is to order from the mint at usmint.gov. Undoubtedly, they will have a variety of products -- after all, the mint is never lacking in imagination. Perhaps Lincoln Christmas ornaments?Other 2009 Lincoln coins
Another coin that will be introduced in 2009 is the Lincoln Commemorative silver dollar. For more information, go to the Lincoln
Commemorative dollar page.