This guide is a summary of the available information about the new US Lincoln Penny series that will be issued in 2009.

Background
The Presidential $1 Coin Program (Public Law 109-145; 119 Stat. 2664) is an Act of Congress that directs the United States Mint to produce $1 coins with engravings of the United States Presidents on the obverse.

This law includes several key numismatic programs:

• The creation of the new one ounce, 24K 0.9999 fine bullion gold coin, the American Buffalo in 2006
  
• The creation of the Presidential $1 Dollar coin program, starting in 2007
• The creation of a $10 gold bullion companion coin for the First Lady of each President alongside the new Presidential dollar coins.
• The creation of a $50 gold bullion coin commemorating the design of the original buffalo nickel
• The creation of a new design series for the Lincoln cent in 2009

Most people are now quite familiar with the new American Buffalo gold bullion coin, and the new 2007 Presidential $1 Dollar Coin program.  However, the redesign of the Lincoln cent has not gotten much press to date.

Details
The original Lincoln cent was issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.  The 2005 Presidential $1 Coin Program chose 2009 as the date for the new cent to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth, and the 100th anniversary of the coin.

The act includes the following program specifications:

1. A redesign of the reverse of the Lincoln cent in 2009 to show four difference scenes from Abraham Lincoln's life. 
   
2. The four scenes are:
• His birth & childhood in Kentucky
• His formative years in Indiana
• His Professional life in Illinois
• His Presidency in Washington, DC
3. Collectible versions of the cent coins with the same copper content as the penny minted in 1909
   
4. A new design for the reverse of the Lincoln cent in 2010 & beyond based on his preservation of the United States as a single and united country.

Number of Coin Variations
While not confirmed yet by the US Mint, there are very likely to be at least 12 versions of the 2009 Lincoln Cent:

• A circulation version of each of the 4 designs, with the "P" mint mark.
• A circulation version of each of the 4 designs, with the "D" mint mark.
• A collector's version, likely proof, of each of the 4 designs in the original copper. (unknown mint mark at this time)

There is some conjecture that there might actually be as many as 20 versions, if the US Mint produces "P" and "D" uncirculated versions of the copper coins, and an "S" version for proof sets.   Recent evidence seems to indicate that we will actually see 20 different versions of the Lincoln cent in 2009.

If you have more information about additional versions that are likely to appear, please let me know and I will update this guide.

Updates
The US Mint has revealed initial designs for the new Lincoln cent.  The coins will be produced in "P" and "D" versions, with circulating metal content.  They will also be producing special, copper-based (the original 1909 metal content) versions of the "P" and "D" coins for the 2009 Uncirculated Proof Sets.  As usual, there will be a special "S" version of the copper cent made for the 2009 Silver Proof Set.  Five of each design, for a total of twenty coins.  Amazing.

Here are the final four designs:


Other Guides
You may also be interested in my new guide on another US coin program launching in 2009:
The 2009 Native American $1 Dollar Coin Program

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