Lincoln Shield (2010-Date)

The “Union Shield” theme is the current design of the U.S. one-cent coin. The U.S. Mint first issued this design in 2010. The obverse (heads) shows the image of President Abraham Lincoln used on the penny since 1909. The shield on the reverse (tails) represents Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single country.

These one-cent coins have a metallic content of 2.5 percent copper, balance zinc. They are issued for circulation in quantities sufficient to meet the demands of commerce. Numismatic (proof and uncirculated) versions are included in the United States Mint's annual product offerings.