The Lincoln cent coin, which turns 101 years old, will bear a
shield on the reverse — the 3rd long-term reverse design in the
series. In November 2009, the U.S. Mint announced a design
change to the Lincoln penny that removes the 50-year-old Lincoln
Memorial design and replaces it with the union shield. The
design reflects the unity that President Abraham Lincoln helped
reestablish when he helped guide the United States from the
division between the North and South that erupted during the
Civil War era. The 2010 Lincoln cent will be released to
circulation and in coin sets made by the U.S. Mint. The Lincoln
Shield Cent The Shield cent is 1 of 18 original concepts United
States Mint artists created for the new penny. The new design
symbolizes Abraham Lincoln’s ability to restore the wholeness of
our union amid the division and strife of the Civil War. Several
proposed design topics were considered, including: - The U.S.
Capitol - Wheat Stalks - American flag The design proposals were
released to the public in