USA to issue commemorative Lincoln pennies

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of United States of America from 1861 to 1865. He was born on 12th february, 1809 in poor farmer's family in Kentucky. He was self educated and became a lawyer. His renown work as a president were - abolition of slavery in U.S.A. and keeping United States integrated during the American Civil War by defeating the enemies.
U.S.A. can never forget his contributions towards the country.

Lincoln penny or Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 on the birth centenary of Abraham Lincoln. It is a copper coin but during WW 2 these coins were minted from steel in 1943 (first picture). These coins were also known as "Wheaties" or "Wheat Penny" as there was design of wheat crop on the reverse side. In 1959 on his 150th birth anniversary the Lincoln Memorial was introduced on the reverse side of the 1 cent coin (second picture). And now in 2009 to commemorate bicentenary of his birth and 100th anniversary of production of Lincoln cent, United States Mint has decided to mint four different 1 cent coins to honour this great president. The front side would be same as other coins shown above. And the back side would have 4 different designs depicting different stages of Abraham Lincoln's life.

First coin has a picture of small wooden hut in which Abraham Lincoln was born.

Second coin has a picture of Abrakam Lincoln as a small boy reading a book. He was very fond of reading books.


Third coin has a picture of young Abraham Lincoln in the legislative assembly as a lawyer.


Fourth coin shows him standing as a President. But this design has not been finalised yet.

These commemorative coins will be issued in 2009 in four different phases.

Last year there was a debate whether minting of these coins should be discontinued or not. It was because the rising metal prices has pushed up the cost of minting coins more than its face value. But the americans have an emotional value for this coin so the majority of them still want this coin to be minted.