2009-D Congressional Years, Zinc

The 2009-D Congressional Years cent in zinc composition circulated from the Denver Mint as part of the bicentennial program. The reverse by Joel Iskowitz, sculpted by Don Everhart, features the U.S. Capitol building under its original dome. Lincoln arrived in Washington in late 1847 to begin his congressional term. He was 38 years old, a successful Springfield attorney, and a rising figure in Illinois Whig politics. His opposition to the Mexican-American War proved controversial back home, and political rivals used his anti-war stance against him.

Lincoln honored the informal Whig agreement to rotate the congressional seat among party members and did not seek a second term. He returned to Springfield and spent the next several years focused on his law practice, riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit across central Illinois. The political career that would eventually lead to the White House seemed to have stalled. Denver's combined mintage of approximately 350.4 million bicentennial cents exceeded Philadelphia's output for the year. Collectors seeking Denver issues look for the small "D" mintmark on the obverse below the date, placed just above the last digit of 2009.