Why was the Lincoln Memorial removed from the penny?

Answer 1

All Lincoln cents minted from 1909 to 1958 had the same primary reverse design: the words ONE CENT in large letters, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in smaller letters below and "E Pluribus Unum" in tiny letters along the top rim.

The wording was enclosed in two bent wheat ears on the left and right sides, symbolic of America's agricultural strength. As a result the coins are known as "wheat ear", "wheat back", or even "wheatie" cents.

The first cents minted in 1909 also carried the initials VDB of the coin's designer, Victor David Brenner, in small letters at the bottom. Later in the year they were removed after public protests over their prominence on the coin, and prejudice against Brenner's religion.

Answer 2

Each design change was associated with semi-centennial observances of Lincoln's birth. The Lincoln Memorial replaced the wheat-ear reverse that been used for 50 years, and the Memorial similarly had been on the coin's reverse for another 50 years.

Answer 3

The reverse of the Lincoln cent was changed from the wheat ears design to the Lincoln Memorial design in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.