2009-D Congressional Years, Copper

The 2009-D Congressional Years copper cent bears the Denver Mint's "D" mintmark and the special 95% copper composition. Joel Iskowitz designed the reverse showing the United States Capitol with its original low dome, representing Lincoln's single term in Congress from 1847 to 1849. Don Everhart sculpted the design for production. Lincoln traveled to Washington as a Whig Party congressman from Illinois, arriving in a capital city that was still rough and undeveloped compared to eastern cities like Philadelphia and New York.

During his time in Congress, Lincoln lived in a boardinghouse on Capitol Hill with his wife Mary and their young sons Robert and Edward. Mary and the boys returned to her family in Lexington, Kentucky, after a few months, finding Washington uncomfortable. Lincoln completed his term largely alone, gaining a reputation as a witty storyteller among his colleagues. The Denver Mint produced these copper satin finish coins for the 2009 Mint Set, with total copper production across all four designs reaching approximately 2.99 million pieces. The weight of 3.1 grams and the warm copper color distinguish these coins from the lighter, slightly gray-toned zinc versions that entered everyday commerce.