Brief History of the Penny

The United States has had a one-cent coin since 1793.  Originally this coin was larger than our current $1 coin, but smaller than the half-dollar coin. It was made entirely of copper and featured various depictions of "Lady Liberty" on the front, before it was discontinued in 1857.  It was replaced by the smaller penny in 1856 which first depicted an eagle, then an American Indian in headdress, before good old Abe's profile appeared in 1909.  If you have one of those pre-Lincoln pennies, consider yourself lucky.  They are definitely collectors' items.