Commems Collection Modern: 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Cents - Part I

Back in January of 2021, I posted about the Westward Journey Nickels. You can read it here:

- 2004-06 Westward Journey Nickel Series

Bump111 commented:


To which I responded:


I'm glad I didn't specify an ETA!

But here, finally, it is...

Time for a look at another Congressionally-authorized circulating commemorative coin set - the 2009 Lincoln Birth Bicentennial Cents. As with the 2004-06 Westward Journey commemorative five cent pieces, legislation was passed by the US Congress and signed into law by the US President (George W. Bush) - the coins were not simply issued under general Treasury/US Mint authority (see 2020 gold $10 Mayflower coin).

The Public Law in question is PL 109-145; the Law also authorized the Presidential $1 program, the First Spouse gold $10 coin program and the $50 gold Buffalo bullion coin. Among the "Findings of Congress" included, the law stated, "On the occasion of the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the production of the Lincoln Cent, it is entirely fitting to issue a series of 1-cent coins with designs on the reverse that are emblematic of the 4 major periods of President Lincoln's life."

The periods in question:

Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816)
Formative Years in Indiana (1816-1830)
Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861)
Presidency in Washington, D.C. (1861-1865)

The series replaced the Lincoln Memorial design of Frank Gasparro with four new designs, each representing one of the aforementioned time periods in Lincoln's life. The designs appeared sequentially over the course of 2009, each produced for several months during the year. The obverse of the cents continured to feature the portrait of Lincoln designed by Victor David Brenner and in use since 1909.

The Circulation cents were struck using the then-current composition of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper

Abraham Lincoln - The $5.00 Bill Portrait

(image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)


Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816)


(Image Credits: US Mint. Media Images.)

Launch Date / Location: February 12, 2009 / Hodgenville, Kentucky

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809, in a small log cabin similar to the one shown on the first 2009 one-cent coin. Nolin Creek ran nearby, and the closest town, 3 miles away, is now called Hodgenville. Abraham was named after his grandfather on his father's side and was Thomas and Nancy Lincoln's second child - Abraham's sister Sarah was their first.

The cabin on the coin appears to be patterned after the cabin enclosed in the Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Hodgenville, KY. (See Note below.)

Abraham Lincoln Memorial - Exterior (Hodgenville, KY)

(Image Credit: National Park Service. Public Domain.)

Abraham Lincoln Memorial - Interior (Hodgenville, KY)

(Image Credit: National Park Service. Public Domain.)

Note: At the time this Memorial was built by the Lincoln Farm Association, some thought that the cabin housed in its interior was a genuine reconstruction of the cabin in which Lincoln was born. This was questioned by some, however, and irrefutable evidence later showed it to be untrue - Abraham Lincoln was not born in the cabin, nor did the Lincoln family ever live in it. The cabin was a fantasy reconstruction originally built in the mid-1890s to promote tourism in the area - it even went on a multi-city promotional tour! It is, however, representative of the cabins at the time of the future president's birth.

When Abraham was two years old, the Lincoln family moved to Knob Creek Farm, not far away, where they worked a 30-acre segment of the 228-acre Knob Creek Farm; the family lived there for over five years - Abraham's early childhood years. The Lincolns subsequently moved to Illinois in 1816.

Recreated Lincoln Family Cabin at Knob Creek Farm

(Image Credit: National Park Service. Public Domain.)

The coin's commemorative reverse was designed by US Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.


Formative Years in Indiana (1816-1830)


(Image Credits: US Mint. Media Images.)

Launch Date / Location: May 14, 2009 / Lincoln State Park, Spencer County, Indiana

Abraham Lincoln moved with his family in 1816 to Indiana; Lincoln was almost eight at the time. Lincoln spent the rest of his childhood and his early adulthood in Indiana, living in Indiana for roughly 14 years - from the age of 7 to the age of 21.

While in Indiana, Lincoln helped out on the family farm, picked up odd jobs in the community and continued his largely self-taught education - he preferred reading over farm labor. It was in Indiana that Lincoln set the foundation for the man and leader he would become.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Indiana - Visitor Center

(Image Credit: National Park Service. Public Domain.)

(The Visitor Center features exhibits that present aspects of Abraham Lincoln's life that include his family, his boyhood years and the experience of frontier life in Indiana.)

Lincoln Cabin Site Memorial at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

(Image Credit: National Park Service. Public Domain.)

(The Memorial marks what is believed to be the site of the Lincoln family cabin in Spencer County Indiana.)

The coin's commemorative reverse depicts Lincoln taking a break from his rail splitting job to read and further educate himself. The design is the work of US Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers.


For a discussion of the other two Bicentennial Lincoln Cents of 2009, and the special Proof Set containing them, see Part II.