Even though no legislation was required for the new design, approval of the Secretary of the Treasury was necessary to make the change. Franklin MacVeagh gave his approval on July 14, 1909, and not quite three weeks later, on August 2, the new coin was released to the public.
Who is the face on the 5 dollar bill?
Lincoln pulls double duty as the face on the $5 bill and the penny. In 1909, Lincoln’s image was added to the penny as a tribute to the former president on his 100th birthday. There are more pennies in circulation than any other coin in the United States.
