The recognizable profile is turned to the right, with the minting year and the mint mark in front of it. Lincoln’s profile dominates this coin’s obverse, like in all other pennies from this series ever minted. With all these changes in appearance, President Lincoln’s profile was always on the obverse. Anthony Coin Worth Money Features of the 1993 Pennyįrom the very beginning of production to these days, Lincoln pennies have changed their composition and reverse several times.

They honored the 16th President’s 200th birthday by representing four critical stages in his life. In 2009, the coin design changed again when the US Mint came up with four different reverse types. Most are still in circulation, including those from the earliest minting years, because the law forbids their melting. Memorial cents are among the most recognizable American coinage nowadays, although their minting was finished in 2008.

That made these cents the first American coins to have the same person on both the reverse and the obverse. Interestingly, Gasparro designed the reverse with the Lincoln statue inside the building. That year, Franc Gasparro designed the Memorial penny commemorating Lincoln’s 150th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln Wheat penny. The coin reverse changed multiple times until 1959. In 1918, officials brought all three letters back on the obverse, but they were significantly smaller this time. It forced the US Mint to remove them, making previous coins collectible. This coin got the name Wheat penny because of two wheat stalks depicted on the reverse.ĭesigner Victor Brenner made a mistake by adding too big initials, making the public angry. Until 1909, it was considered improper to have real people on the coin, but the public was happy to celebrate Lincoln.

It was the first coin to have a person on the obverse, as all before contained: In honor of President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday in 1909, Victor Brenner designed a coin with the obverse depicting a portrait of this famous American President. The mint mark and condition, including visible traces of wear and damage, significantly influence the 1993 penny value. However, specimens minted in recent years also have their place in collections. It is the first piece with the American President’s image, while the Lincoln Memorial penny is the first with a human figure on both sides.Ĭollectors find these coins fun and collectible, although they mainly focus on pieces from an earlier period. Despite being the US Mint’s lowest denomination, the Lincoln cent is a coin of exceptional historical significance.

1898 indian head penny mint mark