Why does Lincoln face the opposite direction on the penny?
James Olson
Updated on April 10, 2026
In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt chose portraitist and sculptor Victor David Brenner to design the penny, probably because he admired Brenner’s previous works of art. Lincoln faced right in the photo, so he faces right on the plaque and faces right on the penny.
Why is the penny a different color than the other coins?
The color is due to the metal used to make them—originally they were pure copper; later, the composition was changed (because pure copper was too expensive), first to (IIRC) 95% copper with a zinc core, then to 95% zinc with a copper coating.
What coin is Lincoln’s face on?
Lincoln penny
The Lincoln cent (sometimes called the Lincoln penny) is a one-cent coin that has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909….Lincoln cent.
| Edge | Plain |
| Composition | 1909–1942, 1944–1982: 95% copper, remainder tin or zinc 1943: zinc-plated steel 1982–present: copper-plated zinc (97.5% Zn, 2.5% Cu) |
| Obverse |
|---|
Why does Lincoln’s head facing right?
The Lincoln Penny was first issued in 1909 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. Lincoln is facing to the right because that was the direction he was facing in the photograph Victor David Brenner used to make his bas-relief for the penny.
Why does the Lincoln Memorial face east?
The massive sculpture of Lincoln faces east toward a long reflecting pool. The peaceful atmosphere belies the years of disagreement over what kind of monument to build and where. In 1910 two members of Congress joined forces to create a memorial which honored Lincoln.
Why is Lincoln facing the other way on the Penny?
Abraham Lincoln is facing right on the penny based on the decision of Victor David Brenner, who designed the plaque on which the portrait is based.
Why do some coins face left or right?
If you take an assortment of United States coins and look at them face-up, you’ll notice that most of the portraits face left. The penny and the nickel, however, are different. Although there are several rather silly theories for why this is, the real explanations are pretty simple.
How is the Penny different from other coins?
The penny differs from the nickel, dime and quarter in two distinct ways: First, Lincoln faces to the right on the penny, while the presidents depicted on the other coins face right. Second, the penny is a different color and comprised of copper. Both of these differences are a result…
Which is the left side of the Penny?
Lincoln’s portrait on the penny has always faced left, while Jefferson’s portrait on the nickel has faced left since 2003.
