History of the Penny
1909
1793
1857
1943
1959
1982
2010
2025
2025
Due to high production costs and low purchasing power, the U.S. government officially stops minting new pennies, ending over 230 years of production.
1943
During World War II, copper is needed for ammunition, so pennies are temporarily made of steel coated in zinc.
1959
The reverse side is changed to the Lincoln Memorial, modernizing the look and marking 150 years since Lincoln’s birth.
2010
The Lincoln Memorial is replaced with the Union Shield, symbolizing national unity and continuing the Lincoln theme.
1982
Rising copper prices force the Mint to switch to mostly zinc pennies with a thin copper coating to reduce production costs.
1793
The first official one-cent coins (Large Cents) are produced by the U.S. Mint, featuring Lady Liberty. This marks the beginning of standardized U.S. coinage.
1857
The penny is made much smaller, closer to its modern size, to save metal and make it easier to use in daily transactions.
1909
Abraham Lincoln becomes the first real person on a U.S. coin, introduced to honor his 100th birthday. This design remains to this day.
1793
Daniel Pippin (Student)
Created on November 18, 2025
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Transcript
History of the Penny
1909
1793
1857
1943
1959
1982
2010
2025
2025
Due to high production costs and low purchasing power, the U.S. government officially stops minting new pennies, ending over 230 years of production.
1943
During World War II, copper is needed for ammunition, so pennies are temporarily made of steel coated in zinc.
1959
The reverse side is changed to the Lincoln Memorial, modernizing the look and marking 150 years since Lincoln’s birth.
2010
The Lincoln Memorial is replaced with the Union Shield, symbolizing national unity and continuing the Lincoln theme.
1982
Rising copper prices force the Mint to switch to mostly zinc pennies with a thin copper coating to reduce production costs.
1793
The first official one-cent coins (Large Cents) are produced by the U.S. Mint, featuring Lady Liberty. This marks the beginning of standardized U.S. coinage.
1857
The penny is made much smaller, closer to its modern size, to save metal and make it easier to use in daily transactions.
1909
Abraham Lincoln becomes the first real person on a U.S. coin, introduced to honor his 100th birthday. This design remains to this day.