JKR

The new design for the reverse of the Lincoln one cent coin is a neat example of digging into the past to find a relevant solution. The design features a union shield – emblematic of Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as, er, united. This small piece of heraldic story-telling incorporates the old design’s Latin inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM – “out of many, one”. So old motto and new motif combine to express the concept of union and “one-ness” of the denomination. The front (obverse) side of the coin has remained unchanged since 1909.

Less an example of typical retro design, more a shining example of finding extra meaning in the design archive and graphic traditions of the “brand”.

Below are the original reverse, and the limited editions of 2009 which picked out key stages from the president’s life and achievements.