New designs … Coming soon to pennies near you!

In 2009, the United States Mint will mint and issue four different one-cent coins in recognition of the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent. The reverse (tails) designs were unveiled September 22 at a ceremony held at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. While the obverse (heads) will continue to bear the familiar likeness of President Lincoln currently on the one-cent coin, the reverse will reflect four different designs, each one representing a different aspect, or theme, of the life of President Lincoln.

The themes for the reverse designs represent the four major aspects of President Lincoln's life, as outlined in Title III of Public Law 109-145, the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005:

• Birth and early childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816)
• Formative years in Indiana (1816-1830)
• Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861)
• Presidency in Washington, DC (1861-1865)

The new one-cent reverse designs will be issued at approximately three-month intervals throughout 2009. The Secretary of the Treasury approved the designs for the coins after consultation with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, and after review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Reverse inscriptions will continue to include "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum" and "One Cent." And the four 2009 Abraham Lincoln one-cent coins will maintain the same metal content (2.5% copper, balance zinc) and other specifications as the current one-cent coin.

These coins will be issued for circulation in quantities to meet the demands of commerce. In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue numismatic one-cent coins in 2009 with the exact metallic content as contained in the 1909 one-cent coin (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). These numismatic versions will be included in the United States Mint’s annual product offerings.

At the conclusion of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Program, the 2010 (and beyond) one-cent coin will feature a reverse design that will be emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country.

Read more about the one-cent coin, which has been part of the United States' circulating currency since 1793!

The circulating coins in this section are the coins that the United States Mint produces for everyday transactions. In addition, this collection of coins makes up the United States Mint’s annual coin sets, which are the staple of coin collecting:

View other circulating coins

• Penny
• Nickel
• Dime
• Quarter-Dollar
• Half-Dollar
• Dollar

 

Coins and Medals Printer Friendly    2009 ULTRA HIGH RELIEF GOLD COIN In January, the United States Mint issued the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin. This coin promises to fulfill Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ vision of an ultra high relief coin that could not be realized in 1907 with his legendary Double Eagle liberty design. 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin Obverse 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin Reverse 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin Edge-Lettering The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin will show the Nation and the world the very best the United States Mint has to offer. The 21st century vision of the United States Mint, combined with technological advances, enabled the United States Mint to realize the previously unattainable goal of making the coin accessible to all Americans. Through 21st century technology and the vision of Director Ed Moy, original Saint-Gaudens coin plasters were digitally mapped by the United States Mint. Using the digital design and die-making process, the Saint-Gaudens sculpture — in ultra high relief — has been updated to reflect the year 2009, an additional four stars to represent the current 50 states, and the inscription “In God We Trust,” which was not on the 1907 version. Additionally, a small border was added for a more consistent edge. The 2009 coin will be made of 24-karat gold. Pure 24-karat gold is much more malleable than 22-karat or 90% gold coins, making it better material for striking the ultra high relief. The United States Mint looks forward to the 21st century and a new era of modern coinage. It eagerly continues the tradition of embodying America’s spirit and identity through its coins and medals. The coin is a uniquely American artistic expression — created by an American sculptor and crafted by an iconic American institution. The 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin closes one chapter of American coin design and begins a new one. We have perfected what has been called one of the most beautiful coins in the world, but, like America itself, there is much more on the horizon. The History The Artist Online Exhibit