2009 Lincoln Series

The U.S. cent reverse was redesigned in 2009 to depict Abraham Lincoln's life in honor of the bicentennial of his birth: Birth and early childhood, formative years, professional life and presidency. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 required that the cent's reverse be redesigned in 2009. This resulted in the mintage of four different coins showing scenes from Abraham Lincoln's life in honor of the bicentennial of his birth. Birth and early childhood in Kentucky: this design features a log cabin and Lincoln's birth year 1809. This penny was released into circulation on Lincoln's 200th birthday, February 12, 2009 and is nicknamed the "Log Cabin Penny". Formative years in Indiana: this design features a young Lincoln reading while taking a break from rail splitting. Nicknamed the "Indiana Penny", it was released on May 14, 2009. Professional life in Illinois: this design features a young professional Lincoln standing before the Springfield Illinois State Capitol. Nicknamed the "Illinois Penny", it was released on August 13, 2009. Presidency in Washington, D.C.: this design features the half completed Capitol dome. This penny was released to the public on November 12, 2009.