<P> Throughout its history, the Lincoln cent has featured several typefaces for the date, but most of the digits have been old - style numerals, except with the 4 and 8 neither ascending nor descending . The only significant divergence is that the small 3 was non-descending (the same size as a 0, 1, or 2) in the early history, before switching to a descending, large 3 for just one year in 1934 and then permanently (as of 2014) in 1943 . Similarly, the digit 5 was small and non-descending up to 1945, then from 1950 and on, it became a large descending 5 . From 1959 until 2008, the Lincoln Memorial was shown on the reverse of the United States cent . Because the Lincoln Memorial was shown in sufficient detail to discern the statue of Lincoln on the reverse of cent, Abraham Lincoln was at that time the only person to be depicted on both the obverse and reverse of the same United States coin . In 1999, the New Jersey state quarter was released, which depicts George Washington on both sides, crossing the Delaware River on the reverse side and in profile on the obverse . (The state quarter for South Dakota, released in 2006, also features Washington on both sides: the typical profile on the obverse, and Washington within Mount Rushmore on the reverse .) Some of the 2009 reverse design series no longer showed Abraham Lincoln, and the 2010 Lincoln Union Shield has removed the president from the coin reverse for the foreseeable future . </P> <P> An additional design detail that is not readily visible to the naked eye is found on the obverse side of the 1918 onward United States cent . The letters "VDB" stamped on the bottom sleeve of Abraham Lincoln represent the initials of Victor David Brenner, the primary designer of the Wheat cent . </P> <P> The Lincoln cent is the current one - cent coin of the U.S. It was adopted in 1909 (which would have been Lincoln's 100th birthday), replacing the Indian Head cent . Its reverse was changed in 1959 from a wheat - stalks design to a design which includes the Lincoln Memorial (to commemorate Lincoln's sesquicentennial) and was replaced again in 2009 with four new designs to commemorate Lincoln's bicentennial . There are more one - cent coins produced than any other denomination, which makes the Lincoln cent a familiar item . In its lifespan, this coin has weathered both world wars, one of which temporarily changed its composition as part of the war effort . The obverse is the longest design used for any circulating American currency . </P> <P> When the Lincoln one - cent coin made its initial appearance in 1909, it marked a radical departure from the accepted styling of United States coinage, as it was the first regular coin to bear a portrait other than the mythical Liberty which appeared on most pre-1909 regular coins . Previously, a strong feeling had prevailed against using portraits on coins in the United States, but public sentiment stemming from the 100th anniversary celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birth proved stronger than the long - standing tradition . </P>

Why did the back of the penny change
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