Why does abraham lincoln face right on the penny

In Europe, post middle ages, when a new monarch was installed, his head or bust faced the opposite direction of the preceding monarch. I guess it made it more obvious that a new monarch was ruling, especially when there were family resemblances. Alternating the facing direction on coins was a sure way of getting people to notice the change. That long lasting English tradition was broken in the 20th century.

When Queen Elizabeth II was coronated the tradition was resumed. Her bust faces to the right. From the very beginnings of U. Mint workers here were very much aware of the coinage practices in other countries. Until the 20th century, the pattern of reversing busts when coinage designs changed was roughly adhered to.

For example, the Draped Bust type dimes of show a bust of Liberty facing right. People found the smaller cent easier to use. The new cents showed a flying eagle on the front and a wreath on the back. In , Abraham Lincoln became the first real person on a U. While the Lincoln portrait has remained the same since then, several different designs have been used on the reverse:. Back to U. Mint Home. Why are the other presidents turning their backs on Abraham Lincoln? According to the U. Mint , The likeness of President Abraham Lincoln on the penny is an adaption of a plaque executed by portraitist and sculptor Victor David Brenner.

President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with Mr. Brenner's design of a Lincoln plaque that he recommended to the Secretary of the Treasury that the design be placed on a coin to be issued in the Lincoln Centennial Year, The direction that Lincoln faces on the cent was not mandated-this was simply the choice of the designer.