2009 Anniversary Cents

Posted by Tom Deaux on Apr 12th 2020

Background

2009 is the 200th anniversary of Abe Lincoln’s birth on February 12, 1809, and the 100th anniversary of the first Lincoln Cent, which was made in 1909. There are four types of the 2009 Lincoln Cent, each of which has a design that signifies a portion of his life.

Here are the four types of the 2009 Anniversary Cents:

1)Birth Place

2)Formative Years

3)Professional Life

4)Presidency

Four Types

1) Birth Place shows a replica of Lincoln’s one room log cabin home.

2) Formative Years shows him reading a book while sitting on a log.

3) Professional Life shows him as a lawyer standing in front of the Illinois court house.

4) Presidency coin shows the US Capitol under construction.

Kinds of Cents made in 2009

Each of the four coins were made in Mint State (as spending money) by the Philadelphia and Denver mints. These were also sold in rolls of 50 coins each. Higher quality Satin Finish coins were also made in Philadelphia and Denver for the 2009 Mint Sets. The coins for the 2009 Proof Sets were made in San Francisco and have the “S” mint mark.

These cents are each 95% copper, the same alloy used for the original coins made in 1909.

Conclusions 

The 2009 Cents are unique. There are four types instead of one. They are copper instead of zinc. There is a satin finish version available in the mint set (the satin finish is also available in other coins minted between 2005 and 2010). The four designs were made for use in 2009 only.