The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 7, February 13, 2005, Article 27

COMMEMORATIVE LINCOLN CENTS FOR 2009.

Dick Johnson writes: "Dual anniversary commemorative
Lincoln Cents – honoring the bicentennial of Abraham
Lincoln#39;s birth and the centennial of the Lincoln Cent itself
–– moved closer to reality this week.

Four Senators are backing a bill similar to one that passed
in the House September 7, 2004. The Senate bill is
co-sponsored by Senators Dick Lugar of Indiana and
Barack Obama, of Chicago.

The Senate bill, like the House version, calls for four
different reverse cent designs for 2009, each representing
a different era in Lincoln#39;s life. These honor three states
-- Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana -- where Lincoln lived and
the nation's capital where he was president.

Both of these Congressional bills aline with what has been
proposed by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Creating new reverse designs for the anniversary year Lincoln
Cent is but one of many anniversary programs suggested by
the commission but the one, perhaps, that will be most
evident to American citizens -- in their pocket change
everyday -- and last forever.

Victor D. Brenner#39;s portrait of Lincoln will continue to remain
on the obverse setting somewhat of a world record for a coin
portrait in continuos use, every year for a century! The House
version contained a tribute to Brenner in the legislation#39;s
wording: "The original Victor David Brenner design for the
1-cent coin was a dramatic departure from previous American
coinage that should be reproduced, using the original form
and relief of the likeness of Abraham Lincoln, on the 1-cent
coins issued in 2009."

The House bill called for the cents to be struck in bronze,
the original composition of the 1909 cent. This was 95
percent copper, 5 percent zinc or zinc and tin. Without,
of course, any cladding or coating -- solid bronze.

Numismatists know Brenner#39;s record coin portrait longevity
is surpassed by the Maria Theresa thaler, of course –
used for over 220 years without changing the 1780 date
-- but can any e-Sylum reader reveal any other long-term
portrait use on a coin greater than a hundred consecutive
years?

President Bush signed a law July 14, 2003, keeping the
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission alive through
2009, thus insuring the Lincoln Cent would be issued
through 2009 (E-Sylum vol 6, no 29, July 20, 2003).
Should the president sign the present bill it would be a
major event for American citizens, collectors and
numismatists.

A story in The Southern, an Illinois newspaper, see: Full Story

For wording of the House Bill No. 5012 see: Wording

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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