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First Coin
The penny became the first coin to be made by the US Mint. The first design was a woman with flowing hair to symbolize liberty.
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1857-1858 New Design
With the size change also came new designs for the penny. On the head of the coin was a flying eagle, and on the back was a wreath.
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Size Change
The coin got smaller, and changed from being made of pure copper to 88% copper and 12% nickel.
Image from: USA Coin Book -
Indian Head Design
From 1859-1909 the design on the penny changed to the "Indian Head" design to symbolize the US expanding west into Native American territory.
Image from: USA Coin Book -
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln became the first president to be on a US coin in order to honor his 100th birthday. The head of the coin was a picture of Lincoln. And from 1909-1958 the back of the coin was two sheaves of wheat.
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World War II
Pennies had to be made of steel coated in zinc because copper was needed for the war.
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Lincoln Memorial
From 1959 until 2008 the back of the coin was an image of the Lincoln Memorial to honor Lincoln's 150th birthday.
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Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program
The US Mint made four penny designs through the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program to honor the 200th birthday of Lincoln, and the 100th birthday of the first Lincoln cent. The designs on the coins represented four important events of Lincoln's life.
Image from:U.S. Commission of Fine Arts -
"Union Shield"
The back of the penny design became a shield to represent Lincoln's preservation of the US as a single country. This is the current design of the penny.
Image from: USA Coin Book -
Philadelphia Pennies
To celebrate the 225th anniversary of the US Mint pennies made in Philadelphia had a "P" mark for the first time.
Image from:USA Coin Book