Lincoln Bicentennial Cent (Formative Years variety)

United States of America (US Mint) · 2009

A copper-colored US penny featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a commemorative scene of him as a young man on the reverse.

Country: United States of America (US Mint)
Year: 2009
Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)
Metal: Copper-Plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified June 26, 2026More united states of america (us mint) coins →

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Overview

A copper-colored US penny featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a commemorative scene of him as a young man on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued in 2009 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent's first issue. This is the second of four specialized reverse designs released that year, representing his life in Indiana.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln designed by Victor David Brenner; includes legends 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', and the date '2009'.

Reverse (back)

Designed by Charles Vickers, it depicts a young Abraham Lincoln reading while sitting on a log during a break from rail-splitting in Indiana. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', 'ONE CENT'.

Estimated value

$0.01 - $0.10 in circulated condition; $1.00 - $15.00 in high-grade uncirculated (MS-65+).

What drives this coin's value

Mint state condition (MS), original luster, and the presence of specific doubling errors (DDR) primarily drive the value.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated; shows slightly blurry details and minor surface marks from circulation but retains much of its original color.

Mintage & rarity

Common; approximately 739.6 million were minted at Denver and 636 million at Philadelphia for the 'Formative Years' design.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for crispness of the logs and the book on the reverse. Weight should be exactly 2.5 grams. These are widely produced and rarely counterfeited except for high-grade 'S' mint proofs.

Notable varieties & errors

The 'Doubled Die Reverse' (DDR) is highly sought after for this variety, typically showing an extra thumb or extra fingers on Lincoln's hand holding the book.

Similar coins

The other three 2009 Bicentennial designs: Birthplace (Log Cabin), Professional Life (State Capitol), and Presidency (White House).

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges to avoid transferring finger oils to the copper plating. Store in a dry environment using PVC-free coin flips or folders to prevent corrosion and 'zinc rot'.