What is on the back of a penny?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: the back of the penny features an image of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., honoring the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you ever wanted to know about the design on the reverse side of the penny.

What does the obverse on a penny represent?

The U.S. Mint first issued this design in 2010. The obverse (heads) shows the image of President Abraham Lincoln used on the penny since 1909. The shield on the reverse (tails) represents Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single country. The penny was one of the first coins made by the U.S. Mint after its establishment in 1792.

Why is the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the Penny?

When it comes to the design of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the penny, there is a fascinating story behind it. The design was chosen in 1959 after a nationwide competition was held to find a new image to replace the wheat ears that had been featured on the penny for over 50 years.