First U.S. Coin: The penny was the first currency authorized by the United States government. The first penny, known as the Fugio cent, was designed by Benjamin Franklin and issued in 1787.
Lincoln's Image: Abraham Lincoln was the first historical figure to be featured on a U.S. coin when his likeness appeared on the penny in 1909, commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Wheat Reverse: From 1909 to 1958, the reverse side of the penny featured two ears of wheat, earning it the nickname "wheat penny."
Copper Content: Before 1982, pennies were made mostly of copper. Due to rising copper prices, the composition was changed to 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, with only a thin copper plating.
Memorial Reverse: From 1959 to 2008, the reverse side of the penny depicted the Lincoln Memorial, introduced to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Union Shield Design: Since 2010, the reverse of the penny features a union shield with 13 stripes and the inscription "One Cent," representing Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single country.
No Penny in 1943: Due to a copper shortage during World War II, the U.S. Mint produced pennies from zinc-coated steel. These "steel pennies" are magnetic and have a distinct appearance.–
1Rare and Valuable Pennies: Certain pennies are highly valuable to collectors. For example, the 1943 copper penny (an error coin) and the 1955 doubled die penny are worth significantly more than face value.