Professional Life in Illinois Lincoln Penny

The Professional Life in Illinois Lincoln Penny is the third coin in the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program. In 2009, the U.S. Mint issued four different pennies throughout the year in recognition of the bicentennial (200th anniversary) of Lincoln’s birth and centennial (100th anniversary) of the first year of the Lincoln cent. The themes on the reverses represent the four major aspects of Lincoln’s life.

Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861)

Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas decided to move the family in 1830 to Illinois, farther west. Abraham worked at different jobs there, including piloting a steam boat. But he was also becoming more and more interested in politics and in studying and practicing law.

He was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1834. In 1837, he moved to Springfield, the capital of Illinois. There, he married Mary Todd and they had their first child, Robert Todd Lincoln. Doing well as a lawyer, Lincoln won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1846.

Lincoln debated Stephen Douglas for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1858. Although he lost that election, the debates made him nationally famous as they showcased his debating skills, clear thinking, and moral character. Two years later, the Republicans nominated him to run for president, and he won the election.

This coin design shows Lincoln standing outside the state house of Illinois. It reminds us of his career in law and politics before he ran for the presidency.