A Penny in the United States of America is known as the cent. It was founded back in the 18th century and after becoming more common, it became a standard minimum level of currency and abolished the half-cent coin. Now it is where the US currency rate starts and equals 0.01 U.S dollar. The penny started hosting Abraham Lincoln’s face in them from 1909 till today. Even though they enhanced the design and features of the former President, the Lincoln cent is still active. They were made with copper and sometimes with zinc-coated steel. let’s get to know the Penny Facts about Abraham Lincoln.
Facts About Lincoln Penny
The Lincoln Cent or Penny was introduced on the 100th birthday of Abraham Lincoln (born on the 14th of February 1809)
- Theodore Roosevelt was the president of the USA when this coin was established.
- Victor David Brenner is the name of the designer who engraved Lincoln’s profile into the Lincoln coin.
- On the top of the coin, we can see the reading, “In God We Trust”.
- Other writings in a penny include – “The United States of America” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” which translates to Out of Many, One.
- The Lincoln Penny has been altered several times. One in 1959, on Lincoln’s 150th birthday, and the other in 2009, on his 200th birthday. The 2009 version released four different designs.
- In the Lincoln penny, we can find two stalks of wheat on either side. This is why in some regions they are called Wheat Cent. This design was chased away after the modification done in 1959.
- Abraham Lincoln is the first American to feature in a penny in the USA.
About Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was America’s 16th President, who became a major figure in American history and politics through the American Civil War and abolishing slavery throughout America. He came from poverty to become the president of the United States. His story is inspiring from a poor livelihood to become a self-taught lawyer and create an impact on the social and political aspects of the nation.
Featuring his head in the minimum valued penny of one cent also ensures the simplicity and basis of his whole life. His biography written by William Thayer is so accurate, From log-cabin to the White house. He only had one reign as president and couldn’t complete it. He was the president from 1861 and led America through many difficult crises; he was assassinated while he was doing what he loved to do in 1865.
Design Of Abraham Lincoln Penny
Victor David Brenner is the man behind the artistry involved in making and introducing the Lincoln Penny. He worked on other projects of engraving and sculpting with Abraham Lincoln as the subject. So he implemented a lot of similar designs from his previous projects to this newly established cents in 1909. Historians think that Brenner could have found inspiration from any photograph of the president but are not sure which one.
One photograph they suggest is, Lincoln reading a book to a child and more people believe it is true because there is a photo of Lincoln and his son together. Numerous claims happened during the time but we could not find the actual motive of the artist and it remains unclear. He also added, “E Pluribus Unum”, which was the motto of the nation, is the Latin translation of “Out of Many, One. Brenner also added his full name to the coin, but then, president Theodore Roosevelt opposed it and asked to make it smaller in size and place it on the reverse side of the coin.
Alteration
Since its first release, the Lincoln cent has not gone into any alterations until the Second World War. During the War, most of the guns, and other mechanical equipment were in higher production. And most of this equipment was made of copper and tin which are the raw materials to produce a penny. To solve this problem they used zinc and made the coins until the war ended.
The next major change happened in 1959 on Lincoln’s 150th birthday. It was a quick decision and changed the whole reverse side of the coin. They added Lincoln’s Memorial in the place of his profile engraved. Another change and the last change happened on Lincoln’s 200th birthday, 2009. This can be the major Modification to date because the treasury released four designs. Four different stages of Lincoln’s life.
Conclusion
Former President Abraham Lincoln is admired by everyone, not just in America, the whole world knows his story. Money is a basic need in today’s world and engraving his memories and the America 200 years ago is the foundation of American history. Even after two centennials, he is remembered for the things that can change your livelihood, even if it is a single penny.
FAQs
Q. Who was in the penny before Abraham Lincoln?
No one has ever featured in a coin before Abraham Lincoln. He is the first one and is popularly known as Lincoln Cent or penny.
Q. What is Lincoln Penny made up of?
It is manufactured with copper and steel with zinc coating.
