2009 Lincoln Cent

[CircleDrill 180]

Say what you like, but if I ever see a coin on the ground, I pick it up. In 2009, I suggest you do the same, ESPECIALLY if it is a penny. Yes, that's right, I said pick up every penny you see!

You may have heard of the "Indian head" penny, which was used prior to 1909. In 1909, the Lincoln cent replaced the Indian head cent in honor of Lincoln's 100th birthday. The Lincoln cent featured wheat stalks (nick named the "wheat penny") on the back from 1909-1959. In 1959, the design was changed to the Lincoln memorial, and that has been the design through 2008.

2009 is a special year for the U.S. Lincoln cent because it is Lincoln's 200th birthday. In 2009, the mint will produce four distinct variations of the penny, with scenes from Lincoln's life on the back. The first of these will be released into circulation on February 12, 2009 (Lincoln's 200th birthday), and a new one will be released every 3 months after. Each variation will be minted for 3 months only, then never produced again.

After 2009, a new design will replace the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

To recap:

1859 - 1909: Indian Head penny

1909 - 1959: Wheat penny

1959 - 2008: Lincoln Memorial penny

2009: four bi-centennial variations

2010 - beyond: new Lincoln penny

So save up your pennies like they are going out of style...because they are!!

[LegalEagle 22]

How much are those new pennies worth?

I know a guy who has a friend that works for the bank. He tells me he will sell me 10 for 5 cents each. He says there is a strict limit of 10. Is there another place where I can get 10 more?

[CircleDrill 180]

That sounds like a rip off to me. I do not know of any such limit on circulating currency. You could get $500 worth of pennies if you wanted them, just like you could get nickels, dimes, or $10 bills if the bank has them.

The way it works is that the pennies will be minted and packaged by Feb 12, and they will be available for banks to order. So when banks start placing orders for pennies after Feb 12, the new pennies will be sent out after that day. Typically it is a few days or up to about a week before they make it to my bank.

All you have to do is go to your bank after Feb 12 and ask if they have any of the new pennies yet. If they do, get all you want. If they don't, find out when they order their money and come back when those orders come in. They will get them at some point.

I do this any time a new bill or coin comes out...go to the bank and get a bunch of them fresh before they are truly circulated.

Maybe your friend was talking about the numismatic versions of the coins. There is a limit on those due to the high copper content (same as original 1909 Lincoln cent), but they are proofs and not meant to circulate.

The circulating coins can be obtained by anyone.

[BamaGrad03 0]

Am I the only one who totally expected this thread to be about a car?

[Auburn85 438]

Am I the only one who totally expected this thread to be about a car?

i must say that i was skeptical before i clicked on the thread title. it did enter my mind that it could be about a vehicle.

despite not knowing, it's still an interesting thread.

[CircleDrill 180]

I can afford a few pennies, but no Lincoln Towncar for me!!

In my history post above, I forgot to mention one of the coolest trivia bits about the penny. In 1943 the US Mint made pennies out of steel due to war-time need for copper (for ammunition, etc.). At that time the government also began recycling shell casings from spent ammo. In 1944 and 45, spent shell casings from WWII ammo were melted down and used to make the pennies from those years.

I just think that is one of the coolest things about the penny. When you see one of those steel pennies, you know you are looking at a piece of history.

[BZ770 2]

It already costs 1.4 cents to make a penny link http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/22/business/22charts.html

So why add more costs to the process for making another penny. Maybe its because Obama is from Illinois.

[quietfan 233]

Am I the only one who totally expected this thread to be about a car?

Well, the way American automakers are going, any or all of their 2009 models might be rare collectors' items some day too!