Penny why does lincoln face right

Both of these differences are a result of Brenner's plaque. The portrait of Lincoln on the penny is a replica of Brenner's plaque; however, Brenner's plaque is actually a replica in its own right. Brenner's plaque is based off a photograph of Lincoln from Lincoln is facing left in the photograph, so naturally Lincoln is also facing left in the plaque. Therefore, Lincoln is facing left in all three works: the photograph, the plaque and the penny. The penny's dark coloring comes from the fact that the plaque was made of bronze.

Brenner adapted this design for the "heads," or obverse side of the penny. He based the plaque on a photograph of Lincoln taken on Feb. Lincoln faced right in the photo, so he faces right on the plaque and faces right on the penny.

Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, started out facing left on the nickel in In , the President enacted a law to revise the nickel in order to commemorate the bicentenary of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. The U. Mint made this revision into a series. On the nickel of the series, Jefferson still faces left and only the reverse side of the nickel changed to reflect its theme.

On the nickel, Jefferson faces right, with the word "Liberty," based on his own handwriting, engraved next to him. In , he faces forward, in an engraving based on a portrait done by Rembrandt Peale in , right before Jefferson became President.

When J. The direction of faces, arrangement of shields, use of allegorical figures and architectural devices all have meaning and are a short hand way to communicate an idea or sentiment on a coin or medal. There is no law that demands this, just tradition. Note that the tradition was broken with the Morgan Dollar facing left and the successor, the Peace Dollar also facing left and that successor the Eisenhower dollar left and then restored on the SBA dollar right.

To learn more about symbolism on coins and medals start with the study of Heraldry. Is there any history or special meaning behind Lincoln facing right on the cent? Dec 7, coindoc. Mexican silver "scales" coin I want to start collecting US coins that are not expensive. Anthony dollars? When did Canada stop minting coins in silver?