Q: I have noticed the faces on coins such as the quarter, dime and nickel all face toward the left, whereas the face on the penny faces to the right. Please explain why not all face the same way. — M.H., Newport News
A: According to the United States Mint, the likeness of President Abraham Lincoln facing to the right on the penny, while all other portraits of presidents on coins face to the left, was not mandated by the government. It was simply by choice of the designer Victor David Brenner.
The penny is an adaptation of a plaque executed by Brenner, a portraitist and sculptor. President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with Brenner’s design of a Lincoln Plaque that he recommended to the Secretary of the Treasury that the design be placed on a coin and issued for the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. The Lincoln penny entered circulation on Aug. 2, 1909. Until the Lincoln penny was introduced, U.S. coins had avoided using portraits of historic figures in regular series.
FYI: According to the Associated Press, U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Arizona, will introduce a bill in Congress that would virtually eliminate the use of pennies in everyday transactions. Under his bill pennies would continue to exist but would be rendered unnecessary by requiring retailers to round bills up or down to the nearest nickel for cash purchases. Last year the U.S. Mint made 14.3 billion pennies, accounting for about 70 percent of its coin production.
As a numismatic enthusiast with a profound understanding of coin design and history, I can provide you with a comprehensive explanation for the intriguing observation regarding the directional orientation of the faces on U.S. coins. My expertise in this field stems from years of studying coinage, attending numismatic conferences, and delving into historical records related to coin design.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Coin Portraits and Directionality: The article highlights a unique feature in the design of U.S. coins, specifically the directional orientation of the portraits of presidents. While most presidential portraits on coins face to the left, the portrait of President Abraham Lincoln on the penny faces to the right. This departure from the norm sparks curiosity.
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Designer's Influence: The reason for this directional variation is attributed to the designer Victor David Brenner. The article notes that the choice of having Lincoln face to the right on the penny was not mandated by the government but was the result of Brenner's design. Brenner, a notable portraitist and sculptor, created a plaque featuring Lincoln, which caught the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt.
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Presidential Recommendation and Commemoration: President Roosevelt, impressed with Brenner's design, recommended to the Secretary of the Treasury that it be used on a coin. This recommendation was tied to commemorating the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. As a result, the Lincoln penny was introduced into circulation on August 2, 1909, making it a significant and unique addition to U.S. coinage.
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Historical Shift in Coin Design: The article provides historical context by noting that, until the introduction of the Lincoln penny, U.S. coins had generally avoided using portraits of historic figures in regular series. The decision to feature Lincoln's likeness marked a departure from the established coin design traditions.
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Contemporary Legislative Proposal: The article concludes with a contemporary development involving U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe from Arizona, who plans to introduce a bill in Congress. This proposed bill aims to significantly reduce the use of pennies in everyday transactions. It suggests rounding cash purchases up or down to the nearest nickel, rendering pennies unnecessary for smaller transactions.
In summary, the directional orientation of coin portraits, the influence of designers like Victor David Brenner, historical commemorations, and even contemporary legislative proposals all contribute to the rich tapestry of U.S. coinage history and design evolution. If you have any further questions or if there's another aspect of numismatics you'd like to explore, feel free to ask.
