On the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 2009, Congress told the US Mint to make a set of commemorative cents to honor four different times in the President’s life.
These cents would start with his humble beginnings as the son of a frontier farmer who lived in a one-room log cabin and end with a design that would represent his historic presidency, during which he stayed true to the Union as the country was thrown into the Civil War.
Frank Gasparro’s Memorial Cent designs, which came out in 1959 to honor the President’s 150th birthday, were replaced by the Lincoln Bicentennial Cent designs. Of course, that design came 50 years after the Lincoln Wheat Cent was first made, in 1909, which was also the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.
A total of 12 weeks were spent making each of the four patterns. The circulation strike form of the coin was taken off the market after three months, and the Mint started making the next design in the series.
Collector versions were made in the 3.11-gram pre-1982 copper alloy in both Uncirculated and Proof forms, in addition to the copper-plated zinc versions made for sale. Besides the normal business strikes, these were only sold in collector sets and can also be collected.
The Great Recession makes it harder to distribute 2009 cents.
Congress thought that the coins would be used as commemoratives by many people, like the 50 State Quarters and Westward Journey Nickel series.
But Congress didn’t think that the main banks in the country would be on the verge of defaulting because of a major economic downturn just before the Lincoln Bicentennial Cent coins were to be launched. Unfortunately, the meltdown made it harder to make and distribute the change.
Many fewer cents were struck than planned, and many more were sent to U.S. territories. It was a little hard for coin collectors in the 48 neighboring states to get the coins for their face value.
Because of this, a price bubble formed soon after the first introduction. People who took advantage of people’s fear of losing out made quick money, but the Mint let collectors buy uncirculated P- and D-Mint examples of each 2009 cent in roll quantity for $8.95 plus shipping. This was a pretty high price for 100 base-metal coins that were worth a total of $1.
Tens of thousands of 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Cents were sent to NGC and PCGS right after they were released to be graded.
The Formative Years Cent had the most submissions. After that, marketing interest in the series dropped with each new coin, which is why the Presidency Cent in certified Superb Gem Mint State is so hard to find.
Also See: The 1976 Bicentennial Quarters: Are They Worth More Than Face Value?
Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809–1816)
On the back of the Lincoln Birth and Early Childhood Cent, there is a large wood cabin that stands for the birthplace and early home of Abraham Lincoln. The coin was made by Jim Licaretz and created by Richard Masters.
Years of Growing Up in Indiana (1816–1830)
The back of the Formative Years in Indiana Cent shows a young Abraham Lincoln. The style makes the future President look like a humble rail-splitter who learns on their own. Charles Vickers came up with the idea for this coin and carved it.
Life at Work in Illinois (1830–1861)
Abraham Lincoln stands in front of the Illinois State Capitol with his left arm outstretched. This is shown on the back of the 2009 Lincoln Professional Life in Illinois Cent. Don Everhart sculpted this pattern that was made by Joel Iskowitz.
Presidency in Washington, D.C., from 1861 to 1865
The White House in Washington, D.C. Cent is the last design for the Bicentennial Cent program in 2009. It has a painting by Susan Gamble of the US Capitol building, with the famous dome still being built, just like it was during the Civil War.
Lincoln was killed on April 15, 1865, so he did not live to see it finished. Out of the four designs used for the 2009 Bicentennial Cent, this one had the fewest coins made.
Design for the Lincoln Bicentennial Cent
The obverse is mostly taken up by a Lincoln looking right. The phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” is written at the top, inside a high rim and above Lincoln’s head. Left of the picture is the word “LIBERTY,” and right of it, a little lower, is the date.
Bronze and metal Lincoln Memorial Cents were made in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Below the date, there are D and S mintmarks.
