Abraham Lincoln Coins

Lincoln makes his appearance on the reverse side of the state quarter featuring Illinois.

Illinois was the 21st state admitted to the Union (December 3, 1818), when Lincoln was but nine years old. The coin was minted in 2003--the 21st century. Hence, the right side of the design says: 21st State/Century. There are also 21 stars around the border.



The design also depicts a farm scene and the Chicago skyline. Both rural and urban are strongly associated with the state. The building you see with the double antenna is the Sears Tower, which is among the top 5 tallest buildings in the world. It is 1451 feet high (110 stories) and is the tallest in the United States. Note that you'll also see another tall building on the Chicago skyline: The Hancock Building (100 stories) is easily distinguished from the Sears Tower because of its single antenna.

>>Want to learn more about the Sears Tower or the world's tallest buildings? Click the link.

Illinois is known as the "Land of Lincoln." (I think they have a thing with "land." When I lived just outside of Chicago for a while, I noticed that the natives referred to the area as "Chicagoland." Chicago, by the way, is an awesome city to visit, so be sure to go there if you've never experienced it for yourself!)

Inside the border of the state is Illinois' adopted son, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was actually born in Kentucky. His family moved to Indiana, and then to Illinois in 1830, just as Lincoln was coming of age at 21.

The only house Lincoln ever owned was in Springfield, IL. (Lincoln was instrumental in getting the state capital moved to Springfield.) You can read what he said to the citizens of Springfield when he left for Washington in the module that follows.

Mary Lincoln moved to Chicago with her youngest son, Tad Lincoln, when they left the White House on May 22, 1865.

In Springfield on February 11, 1861--a day before his 52nd birthday--Lincoln boarded a train for Washington, D.C. (He was to be inaugurated there on March 4.) Before the train left the station, Lincoln delivered this farewell address to his friends and neighbors:

"My friends: No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and here one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether I ever may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and yet remain with you and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well.

"To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

[Source: How We Elected Lincoln]

On February 12, 2009, the U.S. Mint released a $1 silver coin to commemorate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. The coins are to be sold in 2009 only, in proof and uncirculated condition, with a mintage maximum of 500,000.



Read the details about the Lincoln commemorative silver dollar on the EverythingLincoln.com site.

In June 1918, Illinois celebrated its centennial by issuing the Centennial Half Dollar. This commemorative coin was produced in Philadelpha. The authorized mintage maximum was 100,000.

The front of the coin is a portrait of Lincoln from the statue by sculptor Andrew O'Connor that was unveiled at Springfield in August 1918. The front of the coin was designed by George T. Morgan.

The back of the half dollar was designed by John Sinnock. It is based on the Illinois State Seal.

More coming soon about the Lincoln penny, introduced in 1909 to celebrate the centennial of his birth.

The back of the penny has changed significantly once since its issue, and will likely change again in 2009. The first 1909 coins are "wheat back" pennies, named for the wheat stalks on the reverse.




In 1959, for the sequicentennial of Lincoln's birth, the back was changed to show the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. Look closely on the back of these pennies and you can see the initials VDB, and a little Lincoln statue in the Memorial.

 

More coming soon...