Have you heard about the special coins made for Abraham Lincoln’s birthday? Abraham Lincoln was a very important president who helped make America a better place. To celebrate his 200th birthday, the United States Mint made some special pennies just for him. Here’s why collecting the Lincoln bicentennial penny is so rewarding.
Four Different Coins, Four Different Designs
- The first Lincoln bicentennial penny was released into circulation on February 12, 2009. That would have been Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. The penny was unveiled at a special ceremony held at LaRue County High School in Hodgenville, Kentucky, where Lincoln was born. The design features a log cabin, symbolizing Lincoln’s birth and early childhood in Kentucky. It was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Jim Licaretz.
- The second penny was made available on May 14, 2009, and it depicts a young Lincoln reading while taking a break from rail splitting. This symbolized his formative years in Indiana. The design was created by Charles Vickers and depicts the future president as a young man with a thirst for knowledge.
- The third penny in the series was released on August 13, 2009, and it features Lincoln as a young lawyer standing before the Springfield Illinois State Capitol. This design represents his professional life in Illinois. The design was created by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart, and it depicts the future president as a successful and confident man.
- The fourth and final Lincoln bicentennial penny was made available to the public on November 12, 2009. It features the half-completed Capitol dome, symbolizing Lincoln’s presidency in Washington, D.C. Susan Gamble designed it and Joseph Menna created it. It depicts the president as a man of action who was dedicated to preserving the union and ending slavery.
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Collecting the Lincoln Bicentennial Penny
You can buy collector sets of all four pennies. These sets have coins made with the same metal as a penny from 1909. They are perfect for your coin collection, or for giving to someone you love who likes special coins.
These pennies are important because they help us remember Abraham Lincoln, who was a great president and did lots of good things for America. He worked hard to end slavery and keep the country together. These special pennies are a fun way to say “Happy birthday, President Lincoln!” and remember all the good things he did.