The U.S. Mint has officially released the new 2010 U.S. Cent during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The 2010 Cent is noteworthy because it represents a change in reverse design for the venerable coin, which has borne the image of the Lincoln Memorial on it reverse ("tails" side) for 50 years.
In 2009, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Cent, and the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the U.S. Cent had four different reverse designs, each issued about three months apart. Starting this year, the penny reverse depicts the union shield. The thirteen stripes represent the 13 colonies that formed the original Union. The upper portion of the shield represents the Federal Government, which is supported by the unity of the States.
The new permanent Lincoln cent reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Lyndall Bass, and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The 2010 Cents have been released to the Federal Reserve System for distribution to banks, and should appear in circulation in coming weeks.
Comments
The new design is not that bad. I frequent a few different coin forums and I have read some negative opinions about the new Lincoln cent. I think for many of us, the idea of changing the reverse at all does not sit well. That coin has looked the same for most or all of our lives. I suppose even numismatists have trouble accepting change from time to time.
Personally, between the new proposed designs, I liked #9 more than design #13 (I believe 13 was the chosen design). However, when I saw the new 2010 cent in person, I thought it looked like a pretty respectable coin.
I really appreciate all the changes that have trasnformed the faces of the penny.
However, as a foreign, I canīt understand why the Mint, and the US as a whole, continue to manufacture and distribute a coin that has no purchasing power nor reason to exist. It all costs money, that at the end of the line is paid by the taxpayers.
I believe that the penny is living a melancholy end and that all these changes are only artficially retarding a decision that should have been taken years ago – to definetly retire that magnificent coin !
Letīs be sincere, it doesnīt make sense to throw away the pennyes at the fountains around the world and much less to mutilate them at Disneyīs theme parks.
The penny deserves a respectful retirement !
The coins shouldn’t be retired. We are the Land Of Lincoln; it’s more than a coin it’s like a President on a Dollar bill. Lincoln was a great President
We cannot retire the 1-cent coin for a few reasons:
1. We have lots of merchandise available for .99 or 9.99 or 99.99 (a very useful tactic for tricking consumers into making an item seem cheaper than it is). I don’t think you will find many people who market goods and services to cheer on your cause.
2. Our states’ sales tax are not in multiples of 5. Where I live, the tax rate is 6.5% It is unlikely that taxes would drop to 5% and I certainly don’t want to start paying 10%!
3. It’s still a completely useful coin in our society. Some other nations such as Australia and New Zealand were able to rid themselves of their 1 cent coins but up until only recently, our 1 cent was significantly more valuable in comparison.
Thank you for your comment World Coins.
You have a point, althoug I do not agree completely.
American Economy is so based on “plastic money” that I doubt that the 1 cent retirement would cause so many problems as you suggested.
Regards
Perhaps you could elaborate a bit more?
Boring! Sorry folks, maybe the reverse will grow on me. Is that the best they could come up with? Not much artistic endever went into the thought or planning of the 10 pennie. I know, it’s the KISS thing, their down sizeing everything. Could be cheaper to make these new dies.
As far as seeing one. I won’t hold my breath, i have yet to see an 09 in circulation. Barely an 08.
coiny
I like the new design better than any Lincoln reverse since 1958. I was a 10-year-old on a bus going to school in southern California when one of the kids said: “look at the new penny.” The Lincoln Memorial design was not an improvement over the wheat design. I think the Union Shield is perfect.
Hi World Coins.
I meant that Americans use so much Credit Cards that the I donīt believe things will happen as you suggested.
I recently came across a new penny that has what appears to be the capitol building but not the unfinished version of the Lincoln series…any ideas?
Leo Marquez: That sounds like a good argument for getting rid of currency altogether. I do think that will happen eventually but I do not believe we have the technology perfected, nor are we responsible enough for that sort of thing.
Mas: You have one of the 4 2009 Commemorative Lincoln Cents. You can see photos of all 4 reverse designs here: 2009 Lincoln Cents
i think world coins is rite, y should we retire such a usefull coin? it makes it much harder to come up with exact change. and who in todays economy has the time to make exact change with out the 1 cent piece? personly, i like the new desighn…im a coin collector and i think it provides more collecting oppertunities for numesmitests’
PS. i have aquired all 4 2009 pennys, and will be happy to answer questions!
Coin Dealers are not taking double-dies, Faded letters, no mintmark errors coins. I went to a Coin Dealer today, and found out Dealers are looking for blank, no face, melted looking coins; or real gold or silver coins. The double-dies, wheat, no mintmarks, rim errors coins they don’t want; because he (the dealer) toll me these type of eror coins don’t bring much money. I was a little down after he toll me this; because i spent alot of time saving and looking for these errors on the coins i saved. Now iam going to return to circulation. What he showed me; you have tobe very lucky. He even said my 2009 pennies was worthless. The Rochester,Ny Dealers is not buying any coins unless that coin brings them thousands of dollars.
Some dealers are able to turn down certain items because they are either slow movers, or just not worth the effort. That doesn’t make the coin worthless. You just have to consider eBay or Craigslist to move your stuff.
I have a 1902 inidan head penny I think It might be bronze. Could you tell me it’s worth
I found a 1969-s and a 1971-s,1972-s and a really shinny 1965 is this worth a lot o and of pennys ya
My comment is that i have two penny from 1907 & one from 1943 and one is white and i want to know if they are worth something
My concern is that there is a movement that is politically based to detract from the Founding Fathers of our nation and their importance and ideologies. This design change fits that theory. It has been a gradual or progressive movement. Remove the memorial. Then what?
It reminds me of the freemason symbol for some reason…
And I agree, FaithWalk. It does seem there is a certain movement towards that.
I would very much like to know what the five letters are underneath the banner on the 2010 penny. To be more specific, it appears to be LE on the left and JFH on the right. Any ideas anyone??