2003 Memorial Lincoln Cents

Description

2003 Memorial Lincoln Cents
The Lincoln Cent or Lincoln Penny
On February 12, 1959, a revised reverse design was introduced as part of the 150th anniversary
of Lincoln’s birth. No formal competition was held. Frank Gasparro, then Assistant Engraver at the
Philadelphia Mint, prepared the winning entry, selected from a group of 23 models that the engraving
staff at the Mint had been asked to present for consideration. Again, only the approval of the
Secretary of the Treasury was necessary to make the change because the design had been in use for
more than the required 25 years. The imposing marble Lincoln Memorial provides the central motif,
with the legends E Pluribus Unum and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA completing the design, together
with the denomination. The initials FG appear on the right, near the shrubbery. This series is
noteworthy for having the image of Abraham Lincoln both on the obverse and reverse, as his likeness
can be discerned at the center of the memorial on the reverse.
Is a one cent coin 1/100 of a dollar that has been struck by the United States Mint
since 1909. The Lincoln Cent beginning in 2010 shall bear an image emblematic of
President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a single united
country. On April 16, 2009 the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) met and recommended a
design that showed 13 wheat sheaves bound together with a ring symbolizing American
unity as one nation. Subsequently, this design was withdrawn because it was similar
to coins issued in Germany in the 1920’s. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
(CCAC) also met recommended a design showing a Union Shield with One Cent
superimposed in a scroll E pluribus unum was also depicted in the upper portion of
the shield. In June 2009 the CFA met again and this time selected a design
featuring a modern rendition of the American flag. As a part of the release
ceremony for the last of the 2009 cents on November 12, 2009 the design for the 2010
cent was announced. The design chosen was the Union Shield that was selected by the
CCAC. According to the Mint the 13 stripes on the shield represent the states joined
in one compact union to support the federal government represented by the horizontal
bar above. The new reverse design by artist Lyndall Bass and sculpted by U.S. Mint
sculptor-engraver Joseph Menna.