Lincoln Cents

So when you hear it thunder
Don't run under a tree
They'll be pennies from heaven
For you and me
--Bing Crosby

What's the longest running coin design in US history? That would be the Lincoln cent. The obverse design has changed little since Lincoln pennies were first struck in 1909. Designed by sculptor Victor David Brenner, it features a side profile of Abe cribbed from an early Matthew Brady photo. The design was controversial because it was the first US coin to feature an actual person rather than symbolic figures such as Lady Liberty. 

We seem to have gotten over it, as today's coinage has completely shunned Ms Liberty in favor of 'rock stars' of US history.

1910 1c PCGS PR66RB CAC ex Young-Dakota

The reverse of the Lincoln cent has endured two primary designs. The art deco 'wheat cent' reverse was struck from 1909 through 1958. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln cent in 1959, the reverse was redesigned in favor of a Lincoln Memorial motif. The 'modern' reverse was altered once again at the Lincoln cent's century mark in 2009, first with an image of the Lincoln log cabin birthplace and then a replica of the union shield.

Alloy content has evolved from almost completely copper to almost completely zinc. In keeping with the sadly familiar pattern of monetary debasement, rising copper prices have made it too expensive to include the metal in one cent coin denominations.

Many collectors got their starts by plugging Lincoln cents into Whitman albums. Harder to find the old 'wheaties' to fill those early slots, but they're still in the mix if you look hard enough.

If you notice one, then you might want to put it away. At the rate that the value of money is being destroyed, pennies may not be in circulation much longer.