Over the years, there have been many design changes for the one-cent coin. Usually, the 25-year minimum has to pass between redesigns.
This year is not only the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, but the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent as well, first appearing in 1909. The Lincoln image will remain on the front of all four cents in the new program.
On the back, four different images will highlight four parts of Lincoln's life. These coins will be issued about 3 months apart in the order they happened.
The circulating version of these coins will use the same standard inscriptions and the same metal content as have been used recently. A special version of these coins for collectors will also be made. The coins will look the same, but will contain the metals that were used in the original 1909 cent (95 percent copper, 5 percent tin and zinc) instead of the modern cent's mix (2.5 percent copper, the rest zinc).
2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program
Reverse: features a log cabin that represents Lincoln's humble beginnings in Kentucky.
Reverse: depicts a young Lincoln educating himself while working as a rail splitter in Indiana.
Reverse: depicts the young professional Abraham Lincoln in front of the State Capitol in Illinois.
Reverse: This reverse features the half finished United States Capitol dome.