2009 Penny

The 2009 penny is notable because it marked a significant change in the design of the Lincoln cent, which had remained largely unchanged for 50 years. In that year, the United States Mint introduced a series of four different reverse designs to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The four designs depict different aspects of Lincoln's life: his birthplace in Kentucky, his formative years in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency in Washington, D.C.

The 2009 Lincoln cent designs were:

1. Birthplace in Kentucky: This design features a log cabin, representing the humble beginnings of Abraham Lincoln.

2. Formative Years in Indiana: This design shows a young Lincoln reading a book while taking a break from working as a rail splitter.

3. Professional Life in Illinois: This design depicts Lincoln standing in front of the state capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.

4. Presidency in Washington, D.C.: This design shows the half-finished United States Capitol dome, symbolizing a nation torn apart by civil war during Lincoln's presidency.

These different reverse designs were released throughout the year, and each design has the same obverse (front) featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The 2009 penny with these commemorative designs can still be found in circulation, although they are less common than the regular designs. Collectors may also seek out uncirculated or proof versions of these coins for their collections.