Penny Coin

Circulating Coins

Given its scarcity, the 1909-S VDB is the 'Holy Grail' of Lincoln pennies. This rare coin is usually the last coin Lincoln penny collectors will add to their collection. Over the years, this coin has maintained its value and prestige among collectors of United States coins. Optimal Collecting Grade: EF-40. This coin is exceedingly rare. The Secret Service confiscated the early specimens until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. Counterfeits abound but usually have the wrong mint mark. In May 2014, a mother in Texas found one while going through rolls of coins. PCGS graded the coin AU-55, and it is valued at approximately $24,000.

• Year of Issue: 1793 to Present
• Authorizing Legislation: Coinage Act of 1792

Collectible Coins Rare Coins Coin Sets Precious Metal Coins Collectible Coins. Shop rare coins, gold coins, silver coins, coin sets and more. Featured Categories. Shop by Material. 1840 & Earlier 1840-1860 1860-1880 1880-1900 1900-1920. The original elongated souvenir penny book with the coin on the cover.Penny Machine locations around the world, Collecting Tips, EC History, Online Store, and more!

Background

The “Union Shield” theme is the current design of the U.S. one-cent coin. The U.S. Mint first issued this design in 2010. The obverse (heads) shows the image of President Abraham Lincoln used on the penny since 1909. The shield on the reverse (tails) represents Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single country.

The penny was one of the first coins made by the U.S. Mint after its establishment in 1792. The design on the first penny was of a woman with flowing hair symbolizing liberty. The coin was larger and made of pure copper, while today’s smaller coin is made of copper and zinc.

Liberty stayed on the penny for more than 60 years. In 1857, the coin got smaller and the metal composition changed to 88% copper and 12% nickel. With these changes came new designs. In 1857 and 1858 the new coins featured a flying eagle on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. The “Indian Head” design appeared from 1859 to 1909.

In 1909, Abraham Lincoln became the first president featured on our coins in honor of his 100th birthday. The Lincoln penny obverse showed the image of Lincoln designed by Victor David Brenner that is still used today. From 1909 to 1958 the reverse featured two sheaves of wheat. From 1959 to 2008, the reverse was an image of the Lincoln Memorial designed by Frank Gasparro to commemorate Lincoln’s 150th birthday.

In 2009, the Mint issued four different pennies throughout the year as part of the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program. The program recognized Lincoln’s 200th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the first Lincoln cent. The themes on the reverses represented the four major aspects of Lincoln’s life.

Unusual Pennies:

• In 1943, pennies were made of zinc-coated steel because copper was needed during World War II.
• At the beginning of 1943, a limited number of copper pennies were struck by mistake.
• In honor of the Mint’s 225th anniversary in 2017, pennies made in Philadelphia had a “P” mint mark for the first time.
• In 2019, the West Point Mint made special collectible pennies with a “W” mint mark.

Other Circulating Coins:

Nickel Dime Quarter Half Dollar

Read MoreRead Less

Characteristics

Obverse (heads): Shows the familiar likeness of President Abraham Lincoln featured since 1909.
Reverse (tails): First issued in 2010 and emblematic of Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single and united country. It features a union shield with 13 vertical stripes and our national motto in a horizontal bar above. A banner drapes across the front.

Obverse Inscriptions

• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• Year

Reverse Inscriptions

Value Of Pennies By Year Chart

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• ONE CENT

Mint and Mint Mark

Penny Coin Values Coin Price Guide

Specifications

Composition	Weight	Diameter	Thickness	Edge	No. of Reeds
Copper Plated Zinc Balance Zn	2.500 g	19.05 mm	1.52 mm	Plain	N/A

Penny Coin Collecting Books

Artist Information

Obverse

• Designer: Victor D. Brenner

Penny Coin Collections For Sale

Reverse

Penny Coin

• Sculptor: Joseph Menna, Medallic Artist
• Designer: Lyndall Bass