Yes, changes are made to the design over the years. If you check out cents from the 60s & 70s you will see why. Die wear and over polishing will also change the appearence during the production year.
Some changes in design will change yearly or will not change for years. Some years the design may change during a year. (Large Small dates/coin composition/reverses) So if you find one that is looks different to you, check other examples from that year and see if they all look that way? If they do they are just part of the design for that year/years. Case in point. Check the 2001-2004 Cents and compare the letters/numbers on the obverse to the 2005-07. The devices on the 01-04 cents obverse are much larger. Looking at one example you may think, I've found something different. But in comparing other examples from those years, you see that was just how all of them look. So when in doubt, check out other examples from the same year to see if it fits with what you've found. If so, it just the normal design for that year.
I think the portrait of Lincoln has changed for the worst. Compare a recent cent with an early one and you will see the obvious difference. The modern portraits almost look like a caricature of the original.
Yes, the flat relief design is not the most artistic thing out there but when you crank out several billion of them every year, you have to do the little things(like lowering relief to make it easier to strike) to make the process more efficient and extend die life.
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