The face on the U.S. penny is that of President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. His portrait has appeared on the obverse (heads) side of the penny since 1909, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth
. The design was created by sculptor Victor David Brenner, who based Lincoln's profile on a photograph taken in 1864. Lincoln is the only U.S. president to face right on a coin, which reflects the direction he faced in the original photo used for the design
. Lincoln was chosen for the penny because of his significance in American history, especially for leading the country through the Civil War and working to abolish slavery. The penny's copper composition was also seen as a fitting tribute to Lincoln's humble origins
