Is there a reason Lincoln's bust is facing right on the cent?

Insider2

The bust of Lincoln faces right on the cent while the bust of the presidents on other denominations face left. Does anyone know if this was done for a particular reason? Perhaps something a Mint Engraver did on purpose. I believe the original design on a Brenner piece had Lincoln facing to the left as the other coins. Need to check Lange's book. He may have a comment.

WingedLiberty1957

Maybe the Lincoln Cent design was based on earlier works of art with him facing right? (If I recall correctly, this 1864 Willard painting might have been based on an even earlier work of art of Lincoln? But my memory fails me on details.)

WingedLiberty1957

Some other possible artwork inspirations for coin designs ... (The Roosie was flipped)

Insider2

@WingedLiberty1957 said:
Maybe the Lincoln Cent design was based on earlier works of art with him facing right? (If I recall correctly, this 1864 Willard painting might have been based on an even earlier work of art of Lincoln? But my memory fails me on details.)

That painting must be the answer! Thanks.

edgar

That is a question I had but never asked. Is there a meaning or purpose of left/right vs full frontal profile on coins and medals. And why are most currency vignettes full or mostly full frontal?

Justacommeman

I prefer straight on. He was a cool dude and ahead of his time

m

oldabeintx

I'm looking at VDB's plaque on my wall. Also facing right. Need to go back farther to determine why he had him facing right. I have read that VDB was inspired by an Anthony Berger 1864 photograph, which indeed looks very much like the cent, facing right.

thisistheshow

.

WingedLiberty1957

Thanks OldAbe ...1864 Berger photo is below. I think the photo came first, then the painting was based on the photo. All done in 1864.

LindeDad

I can not remember the reference, but I remember hearing, there was something on the left of his face he did not want shown.

CCGGG

Maybe because he was with the "right" political party.....

CaptHenway

Well, facing forwards presents impossible relief demands, while facing away would look danged silly, so that leaves facing right or left AND WHAT THE BLEEP DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE???

RogerB

grip

Abe and son.

edgar

@RogerB said:

BRAVO, an irrefutable answer to my long time question, thanks!

Hydrant

Off topic, but I think the members here might enjoy this. Family lore from my mother's side. My mother had an aunt named Susan. Here's how the story goes; When Susan was a little girl she was at an A. Lincoln speech. Somewhere in Iowa. She sat on the ground right in front on A. Lincoln. During his speech a button fell off of his coat sleve. Little Susan picked it up. After the speech, she went up to Lincoln to return the button. He asked her what her name was. She said, "Susan." Then he patted her on the head, picked her up and said, " Well, you're my little Black Eyed Susan and you may keep the button. " They say it was a wooden button. I wish I had that button. Lincoln was a great man. This is a great country in many ways because of him. Some roots run deep.

BillJones

Supposedly Brenner showed an example of this medal to Theodore Roosevelt when TR was posing for the Panama Canal years of service medal. The concept for the medal came from the Mathew Brady photos that were shown previously.

JBK

It was his best side.

LanLord

I want a portrait of the president looking upwards.

I hope they can get the nostrils to look right!

BuffaloIronTail

This entire thread is coolness personified. Beautiful pics, meaningful comments.

Pete

Insider2

@CaptHenway said:
Well, facing forwards presents impossible relief demands, while facing away would look danged silly, so that leaves facing right or left AND WHAT THE BLEEP DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE???

Some folks have a side they personally prefer for photographs. IMHO, I look fine from either side.

@edgar said:

@RogerB said:

BRAVO, an irrefutable answer to my long time question, thanks!

There is an article in the FUN magazine by Ron Cheek about the direction English rulers appeared on coins that matches this letter. Edward VIII wished to break with tradition and face left - his best side. After Edward the VIII abdicated, they wanted to put George VI facing right as was the customary switch (see the letter). Apparently, the new king refused, claiming that the abdicated ruler should have faced right but since no official coin was issued, he took the facing left model. I hope I didn't mess this up as it was all "new" to me.

kbbpll

@Insider2 I recall a similar story, and I'm not sure if anybody knows the "real" story. Continuing Roger's letter, Victoria faced left, Edward VII faced right, George V faced left, then pattern coins for Edward VIII also faced left (he abdicated before 1937 coins were minted), then George VI faced left as well. Elizabeth II faced right again. Edward VIII screwed everything up, but he also resulted in the 1936 "dot" cents and dimes, two famous rarities.

ricko

Numismatists sure do get into the nitty gritty of coins.... It seems no topic/issue is too small to explore/research. Sometimes, interesting stories are uncovered...i.e. the little girl/button story... wonder what happened to that button? Cheers, RickO

yosclimber

Colorized version of Feb 5, 1865 photo by Gardner, from Reddit.com .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographs_of_Abraham_Lincoln

BLUEJAYWAY

@Insider2 said:

@CaptHenway said:
Well, facing forwards presents impossible relief demands, while facing away would look danged silly, so that leaves facing right or left AND WHAT THE BLEEP DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE???

Some folks have a side they personally prefer for photographs. IMHO, I look fine from either side.

@edgar said:

@RogerB said:

BRAVO, an irrefutable answer to my long time question, thanks!

There is an article in the FUN magazine by Ron Cheek about the direction English rulers appeared on coins that matches this letter. Edward VIII wished to break with tradition and face left - his best side. After Edward the VIII abdicated, they wanted to put George VI facing right as was the customary switch (see the letter). Apparently, the new king refused, claiming that the abdicated ruler should have faced right but since no official coin was issued, he took the facing left model. I hope I didn't mess this up as it was all "new" to me.

Nice to see I was not the only one curious as to the reason for L/R facing. I asked this once here some time ago. I thought it might have something to do with political leanings:Facing left-Dem/Liberal, Facing right-Rep./Cons. Probably not. As with any aspect of a coin they come under scrutiny at some point. Furthermore, maybe the new collectors which we like to encourage to join our ranks, might have silly questions at times. We should encourage them to question all the aspects of the coin and it's reasons why they are what they are. After all we are all here to learn aren't we? No question should be discouraged from seeking an answer. That's what difference it makes, at least to me.

keets

wasn't he a Republican, hence, the right.

Insider2

David Lange has sent me a copy of his column "USA COIN ALBUM" that was published (when?) in the Numismatist. It deals with this question and he has an interesting "take" on the answer. I won't link to it but it should be easy to find.

1Mike1

Thanks @RogerB That's the first I've seen that letter.

RogerB

@1Mike1 said:
Thanks @RogerB That's the first I've seen that letter.

If anyone wants a PDF of the posted letter, just let me know and I will attach the file for uploading.

asheland

I hadn't really paid attention, but most coins indeed have the portraits facing left. However, the early draped bust coinage faced right like Lincoln.