The person on the U.S. penny (one-cent coin) is 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 centennial of his birth. This was the first time a real person was featured on a U.S. circulating coin. The current reverse (tails) design features a Union Shield, symbolizing the unity of the states, and has been in use since 2010