Who is on U.S. Coins?
Explore the design history of American coins
Key Historical Facts
- First Historical Portrait (1909): The Lincoln Cent was the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a real historical figure rather than the allegorical Liberty.
- Liberty Tradition: Before 1909, U.S. coins primarily featured various artistic interpretations of Liberty.
- Presidential Honor: The Kennedy Half Dollar was rapidly introduced in 1964, less than a year after President Kennedy’s assassination.
- Native American Recognition: The Sacagawea Dollar (2000) marked the first time a Native American woman appeared on circulating U.S. coinage.
- Women’s Representation: Susan B. Anthony (1979) became the first non-allegorical woman to appear on circulating U.S. coinage.
Currently Circulating Coins
Cent (1¢)
Abraham Lincoln (1909-present)
Nickel (5¢)
Thomas Jefferson (1938-present)
Dime (10¢)
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1946-present)
Quarter (25¢)
George Washington (1932-present)
Cent
2017-2020; 2016; 2015; 2014; 2013; 2011-2012; 2010
Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner
Reverse: Union Shield, designed by Lyndall Bass
2009
Obverse: Abraham Lincoln portrait, designed by Victor D. Brenner
Reverse: Four different designs commemorating Lincoln’s life, designed by various artists
1959-2008
Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner
Reverse: Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro
1909-1958
Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner
Reverse: Wheat ears flanking ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by Victor David Brenner
1859-1908
Obverse: Indian Head – Artistic representation of Liberty wearing a Native American headdress, designed by James Barton Longacre
Reverse: Oak wreath and shield, designed by James Barton Longacre
1857-1858
Obverse: Flying Eagle, designed by James B. Longacre
Reverse: Wreath of cereals, designed by James B. Longacre
1839-1857
Obverse: Liberty Head (Braided Hair), designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Wreath surrounding denomination, designed by Christian Gobrecht
1793-1838
Obverse: Liberty head designs (various), designed by Robert Scot and others
Reverse: Wreath and chain designs, designed by Robert Scot and others
Dime
1964-2020
Obverse: Portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed by John R. Sinnock
Reverse: Torch flanked by olive and oak branches, designed by John R. Sinnock
1916-1945
Obverse: Winged Liberty Head (commonly known as Mercury Dime, though actually depicting Liberty wearing a winged cap), designed by Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse: Fasces with olive branch, designed by Adolph A. Weinman
1892-1916
Obverse: Liberty Head (Barber), designed by Charles E. Barber
Reverse: Wreath enclosing denomination, designed by Charles E. Barber
1837-1891
Obverse: Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Wreath surrounding the words ‘ONE DIME’, designed by Christian Gobrecht
1796-1837
Obverse: Draped Bust and Capped Bust designs, designed by Robert Scot and John Reich
Reverse: Various eagle designs, designed by Robert Scot and John Reich
Dollar
2000-2021
Obverse: Portrait of Sacagawea with her infant son, designed by Glenna Goodacre
Reverse: Various Native American themed designs by different artists
1979-1999
Obverse: Susan B. Anthony portrait, designed by Frank Gasparro
Reverse: Eagle landing on the moon, designed by Frank Gasparro
1971-1978
Obverse: Portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, designed by Frank Gasparro
Reverse: Eagle landing on the moon with Earth in background, designed by Frank Gasparro
1921-1935
Obverse: Peace dollar design featuring Liberty’s head, designed by Anthony de Francisci
Reverse: Eagle perched on a rock with ‘PEACE’ inscription, designed by Anthony de Francisci
1878-1904
Obverse: Liberty Head (Morgan Dollar), designed by George T. Morgan
Reverse: Eagle with wings spread, designed by George T. Morgan
1794-1877
Obverse: Various Liberty designs (Seated, Draped Bust), designed by multiple artists
Reverse: Various eagle designs, designed by multiple artists
Half Cent
1840-1857
Obverse: Liberty Head (Braided Hair), designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Wreath surrounding ‘HALF CENT’, designed by Christian Gobrecht
1809-1836
Obverse: Classic Head design, featuring Liberty facing left, designed by John Reich
Reverse: Wreath surrounding denomination, designed by John Reich
1793-1808
Obverse: Liberty head designs (various), designed by Robert Scot
Reverse: Wreath designs, designed by Robert Scot
Half Dime
1837-1873
Obverse: Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Wreath surrounding denomination, designed by Christian Gobrecht
1829-1837
Obverse: Capped Bust design, designed by William Kneass
Reverse: Eagle with shield, designed by William Kneass
1794-1805
Obverse: Draped Bust design, designed by Robert Scot
Reverse: Small Eagle design, designed by Robert Scot
Half Dollar
1964-2020
Obverse: Portrait of John F. Kennedy, designed by Gilroy Roberts
Reverse: Presidential Seal/Coat of Arms variations, designed by Frank Gasparro
1916-1963
Obverse: Walking Liberty, designed by Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse: Eagle with wings spread, designed by Adolph A. Weinman
1892-1915
Obverse: Liberty Head (Barber), designed by Charles E. Barber
Reverse: Heraldic Eagle, designed by Charles E. Barber
1839-1891
Obverse: Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, designed by Christian Gobrecht
1794-1839
Obverse: Various Liberty designs (Draped Bust, Capped Bust), designed by multiple artists
Reverse: Various eagle designs, designed by multiple artists
Nickel
1938-2020
Obverse: Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, designed by Felix Schlag
Reverse: Monticello, Jefferson’s home, designed by Felix Schlag
1913-1938
Obverse: Composite portrait of Native American chiefs, designed by James Earle Fraser
Reverse: American Bison (buffalo), designed by James Earle Fraser
1883-1913
Obverse: Liberty Head (V Nickel), designed by Charles E. Barber
Reverse: Roman numeral V surrounded by a wreath, designed by Charles E. Barber
Quarter
2010-2020
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington, designed by John Flanagan
Reverse: America the Beautiful series designs by various artists
1999-2009
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington, designed by John Flanagan
Reverse: State Quarter designs/Territories designs by various artists
1932-1998
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington, designed by John Flanagan
Reverse: Eagle with wings spread, designed by John Flanagan
1916-1930
Obverse: Standing Liberty, designed by Hermon A. MacNeil
Reverse: Eagle in flight, designed by Hermon A. MacNeil
1892-1916
Obverse: Liberty Head (Barber), designed by Charles E. Barber
Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield, designed by Charles E. Barber
1838-1891
Obverse: Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Heraldic eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Three Cents
1865-1889
Obverse: Liberty head wearing a coronet, designed by James B. Longacre
Reverse: Roman numeral III within ornamental design, designed by James B. Longacre
1851-1864
Obverse: Liberty head design, designed by James B. Longacre
Reverse: Roman numeral III variations, designed by James B. Longacre
Twenty Cents
1875-1878
Obverse: Seated Liberty design, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse: Eagle with spread wings, designed by William Barber
Two Cents
1864-1873
Obverse: Shield with arrows and olive branch, designed by James B. Longacre
Reverse: Wreath surrounding denomination, designed by James B. Longacre
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