The one-cent coins celebrate the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent. The sets, therefore, are officially entitled as the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set.
The reverse of each cent bears a design that represents the four major aspects of Abraham Lincoln’s life:
Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky – The ‘Log Cabin’ reverse was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Jim Licaretz.
Formative Years in Indiana – The ‘Rail Splitter’ reverse was designed and sculpted by Charles Vickers.
Professional Life in Illinois – Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Don Everhart, the reverse features Abraham Lincoln in a professional pose in front of the Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois.
Presidency in Washington D.C. – The final 2009 Lincoln Cent, designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Joseph Menna, features a half-completed US Capitol dome, as it appeared during Lincoln’s Presidency.
The obverse or heads side of coins feature the familiar Victor D. Brenner designed likeness of President Lincoln that was first introduced in 1909.