The Lincoln Cent has changed a lot since we talked about it last time. From the controversy over the VDB initials, composition changes, and reverse changes almost 50 years ago (from Wheat to Memorial). The cent has been through its fair share of changes.
So, where does the Lincoln cent go from here? A lot of changes to coins were recently made legal by new laws. The cent was one of the things that changed. Title III of the Presidential Dollar Coin Act says that the Lincoln Memorial should be taken off the back of the Lincoln cent and replaced with four different designs that show Lincoln's life. In the text of the law, the new reverses are called "(A) his birth and early childhood in Kentucky; (B) his formative years in Indiana; (C) his professional life in Illinois; and (D) his presidency in Washington, D.C." In 2009, these changes would be made.
In addition to these designs, the law says, "The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue one-cent coins in 2009 that have the same amount of metal as a one-cent coin from 1909, but in whatever number the Secretary thinks is right for numismatic purposes." Will this be a wheat cent or a fifth design? Who can say? It will be a proof or uncirculated coin that is legal tender but won't be used to buy things.
For 2010 and beyond, the law says, "The design on the back of 1-cent coins made after December 31, 2009, must show a symbol of how President Lincoln kept the United States of America as a single, united country." This could be a design that hasn't been decided on yet, or it could be the Lincoln Memorial again. Since this won't happen for a few years, it doesn't look like a decision is coming soon. One question that seems to have been answered is that the cent will still be made even though some people want it to stop. Many people think the penny isn't useful anymore and should disappear like the half cent. We'll find out.
