Abraham Lincoln’s image has become inseparable from the penny. His profile faces right on the obverse side of the coin, accompanied by the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST”, “LIBERTY”, and the year of minting. This design was created by sculptor Victor David Brenner and has remained in use for more than a century, with only minor adjustments. Lincoln’s presence on the penny was a groundbreaking decision at the time, as no president had ever been depicted on a circulating coin before.

The choice of Lincoln was symbolic. He was remembered as the leader who preserved the Union during the Civil War and championed the abolition of slavery. By placing his portrait on the penny, the U.S. Mint honored his legacy and ensured that his image would be carried daily in the hands of millions of Americans. Over the years, the reverse design has changed—from wheat stalks (1909–1958) to the Lincoln Memorial (1959–2008), and now the Union Shield (2010–present)—but Lincoln’s portrait has remained constant.