2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years
2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years - click on image to enlarge
General Coin Information
Spring 2009 will include the release of the second in series of four one cent coins by the United States Mint meant to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth in 1809. The 2009 Lincoln Cent Formative Years coin was created as part of the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-145).
This version of the Lincoln cent follows the 2009 Lincoln Cent Birthplace coin which was released on February 12, 2009. The Birthplace coin marked the first time the cent has been changed in 50 years. In 1959, an image of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. was featured on the reverse and it remained that way until now. The first Lincoln cent was issued in 1909 to celebrate the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth and featured the words "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" flanked by two sheaves of wheat. This is commonly known as the "wheat penny".
The obverse has remained consistent for the last 100 years, and will continue to be the same for these new versions. It features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing to the right. It was designed by Victor D. Brenner
Born in Kentucky, Abraham and his family moved to Indiana where he grew up learning a good work ethic and had a love for reading and learning. This is depicted on the reverse of the Formative Years coin. It shows Abraham taking a break from rail splitting and reading a book.
Abraham would go on to hold several jobs as well as political posts, and would finally become the 16th President of the United States. He died in the service of his country when he was assassinated a few days after the end of the Civil War.
If history of the birthplace cent is any indicator, demand for this coin is sure to be high. The first coin in the series was available in a two roll set from the United States Mint for only two weeks before selling out. Also of interest may be the Lincoln Silver Dollar Proof or Lincoln Silver Dollar Uncirculated coins, which were released as well in 2009 to celebrate the bicentennial.
Obverse Design
The obverse design remains as it has for 100 years, and shows a portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right. It was designed by Victor D. Brenner. It includes the words "IN GOD WE TRUST", "LIBERTY", "2009", and if minted in Denver, the mintmark "D".
Reverse Design
A young Abraham Lincoln is featured on the reverse. It shows him reading a book while taking a break from rail splitting in Indiana. It is meant to signify the interest Abraham had in reading and learning, while still not afraid of hard work. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "ONE CENT" are also found on the reverse. It was designed and sculpted by Charles Vickers.
Lincoln Formative Years Cent Specifications
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Featured Lincoln 2009 Cent Auctions
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US $8.55
Lincoln Formative Years Cent Resources
- Mint information page
- Mint press release
- 2009 Lincoln Pennies - 2009LincolnPennies.com
- Lincoln Formative Years Cent Information - CoinNews.net
- Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set
- Lincoln Biographical Information - WhiteHouse.gov
