Coin enthusiasts, rejoice. Today, the U.S. Mint unveiled the first of four new pennies depicting Abraham Lincoln reelin' in the years. The coins, produced to honor the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth (and the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln cent), are the first redesigned pennies to enter circulation in a half-century. They'll debut as part of Lincoln's bicenntenial celebration held near his birthplace of Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Heads will still feature the 16th resident's mug and "In God We Trust," and the flip side will highlight a stage of his life. The first release features a picture of the one-room log cabin where Lincoln was born. The other three coins will be issued in roughly three-month intervals throughout the year and will depict Lincoln's formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency. You can see the full lineup here.
The penny, which won't buy much--if anything--these days, has long been the target of a heated debate over whether to scrap it on grounds that it costs more to produce than its worth. What's your two cents?
Reader Comments Read all comments (3)
John of NY 4:34PM February 12, 2009
coin guy of MD 3:57PM February 12, 2009
Muser of NM 11:37AM February 12, 2009