Washington DC, November 12, 2009 - The public was invited to join United States Mint Director Ed Moy at a special ceremony to launch the final coin in the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Coin Program, honoring Abraham Lincoln’s presidency in Washington, D.C.  The ceremony took place on Thursday, November 12, at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial Statue located below the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building.  Invited guests included Dr. Donald Kennon, Chief Historian of the U. S. Capitol Historical Society and Eileen Mackevich, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.  Children 18 years and younger received a new Lincoln “Presidency” One-Cent Coin to commemorate the event.  The news media were also welcome to attend.

The design selected for aspect four of Lincoln's life features the half-finished United States Capitol dome, symbolizing a Nation torn apart by civil war and the resolve Lincoln showed as he guided the country through its most grave crisis.    

The coin’s obverse (heads) continues to bear Victor David Brenner’s familiar likeness of Lincoln. 

Following the ceremony, the public could exchange their currency for a minimum of two rolls and up to six rolls of coins bearing the new Lincoln “Presidency” design. (Limits are subject to change.)  Those who could not attend the event can purchase directly from United States Mint’s Web site, www.usmint.gov, or at the toll-free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468), beginning noon ET November 12.  

As authorized by law, the United States Mint issued a series of four pennies this year to honor the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100^th anniversary of the Lincoln cent.  The coins’ reverse (tails side) design reflects four different aspects, or themes, of President Lincoln’s life:  his birth and early childhood in Kentucky; his formative years in Indiana; his professional life in Illinois; and his presidency in Washington, D.C.  The obverse (heads side) of the coins continues to feature Victor David Brenner’s likeness of President Lincoln that has graced the coin since 1909. 

A digital image of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin - "Presidency", as well as all the coins in the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Coin Program, is available at:

http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009LincolnOneCent