Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky Lincoln Penny

In 2009, the United States Mint issued four different pennies throughout the year in recognition of the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth and centennial of the first year of the Lincoln cent. The themes on the reverses represent the four major aspects of Lincoln’s life.

Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816)

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a small log cabin like the one shown on this one-cent coin. Nolin Creek ran nearby, and the closest town, 3 miles away, is now called Hodgenville. Abraham was named after his grandfather on his father’s side and was Thomas and Nancy Lincoln’s second child.

When Abraham was two years old, the Lincolns moved to Knob Creek Farm, not far away. They worked a 30-acre section of the 228-acre farm. By the time they moved again in 1816, Abraham was old enough to fetch water and firewood.

This coin reminds us of one of the most amazing aspects of Lincoln’s life: that his humble beginnings on the Kentucky frontier were the first step on the road to the nation’s presidency.