The new one-cent coin will circulate from this year forward.  The coin's reverse (tails side) design is emblematic of President Abraham Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single and united country, as required by Title III of Public Law 109-145, the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005.  The design depicts a union shield with a scroll draped across and the inscription ONE CENT.  The 13 vertical stripes of the shield represent the states joined in one compact union to support the Federal government, represented by the horizontal bar above.  The horizontal bar features the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM -"out of many, one"-while the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is depicted along the upper rim of the coin.  The reverse image was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Associate Designer Lyndall Bass and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

The obverse (heads side) continues to bear Victor David Brenner's likeness of President Lincoln that has appeared on the coin since 1909.   

The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage.  Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.  The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.