U.S. Mint Offers One More Lincoln Penny for U.S 250th Anniversary

The Lincoln Penny commemorating the U.S. Semiquincentennial will only be offered as collector’s item and will not circulate.

Since the 100th anniversary of Civil War president Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 1909, the 16th President’s profile has been on the front of the penny. In 2025, production of the penny was discontinued on the basis of it costing much more to produce than it was worth, although pennies remain in circulation. For the nation’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Mint has brought back the Lincoln penny for one year only. But don’t look for the 2026 version in your pocket change as it will only be available for purchase from the mint and will not circulate.

The front of the penny will look nearly the same as the old ones, with Lincoln’s profile, In God We Trust on the top, the word Liberty on the left and the year of production on the right. The difference is that the date will be both 1776 and 1926. The penny will be produced in both Philadelphia and Denver, with the Denver coins having a D mint mark below the date. The back will feature the same shield design that was used on the penny since 2010.

2026 Penny Philadelphia Mint. U.S. Mint Image

2026 Penny Denver. U.S. Mint Image