: In 1909, the U.S. Mint redesigned the coin to honor President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, marking the first time a real person appeared on a regular-issue U.S. coin.
There is a long-standing discussion about whether the penny should remain in circulation. Proponents and critics offer the following arguments: Arguments to Retire the Penny : In 1909, the U
: Sorting and handling pennies wastes time for businesses and consumers at the point of sale. There is a long-standing discussion about whether the
: The first pennies, minted until 1857, were much larger than modern versions—exceeding the size of a modern quarter. : The back of the coin has changed
: The back of the coin has changed multiple times, featuring "Wheat" stalks (1909–1958), the Lincoln Memorial (1959–2008), and the current "Union Shield" (introduced in 2010).
: Eliminating it could lead to "rounding up" prices, potentially impacting low-income households.