The Penny Gets a Facelift

Recently, the U.S. Mint unveiled the new designs for the penny during a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. The coin changes are part of the government's commemoration next year of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
Lincoln's profile will remain on one side of the coin but the Lincoln Memorial will be replaced on the other side by the new images, with a different one being introduced every three months.

This means that the life of the penny will continue as per those who manufacture it.

The new penny designs will depict different stages of President Lincoln's life.

The first new design will depict a log cabin, representing the place in Kentucky where Lincoln was born in 1809. The second design will feature a young Lincoln taking a break from working as a rail splitter in Indiana by reading a book. Lincoln as a young lawyer standing in front of the old state capitol building in Springfield, Ill., will be the design on the third coin. And, the final coin in the series will show the half-completed Capitol dome, evoking Lincoln's famous order that construction of the Capitol should continue during the Civil War as a symbol that the Union would continue.

The first new penny is scheduled to go into circulation starting on Feb. 12, Lincoln's birthday, and then every three months after that. United States Mint Unveils New 2009 Penny Designs
A Lincoln commemorative silver dollar also will be released in 2009.

FYI- these are the designs

Presidency in DC Reverse

Designer: Susan Gamble
Sculptor: Joseph Menna
Description: This reverse features the half finished United States Capitol dome.

Professional Life in Illinois Reverse

Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Sculptor: Don Everhart
Description: This reverse depicts the young professional Abraham Lincoln in front of the State Capitol in Illinois.

Line Art
Reverse:

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky Reverse Designer: Richard Masters Sculptor: Jim Licaretz Description: This reverse features a log cabin that represents Lincoln’s humble beginnings in Kentucky. Formative Years in Indiana Reverse Designer: Charles Vickers Sculptor: Charles Vickers Description: This reverse depicts a young Lincoln educating himself while working as a rail splitter in Indiana.

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