Why Presidents Face Left on US Coins: Debunking Myths and Exploring Modern Changes

A common belief is that US Presidents are only depicted facing left on coins, due to some obscure law or political bias. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. The orientation of portraits on US coins is a result of artistic choices rather than any governmental mandate or political preference.

Artistic Choices and the Absence of Mandate

Internet conspiracy theories often suggest that there is a strict rule about which direction a portrait must face on US coins. Contrary to these beliefs, there is no law stipulating that portraits must face left. The direction of the portrait is determined by the artist’s preferences, not by government regulations or political affiliations.

This notion is further substantiated by the fact that newer coin designs have images facing various directions, including:

For instance, the latest issue of the Presidential Seal now features an eagle facing the Olive Branches, a direction previously used after World War II. Prior to this change, the eagle faced the arrows.

Specific Examples and Historical Context

A prime example is the penny, where President Abraham Lincoln faces to the right. This design was created by Victor David Brenner, a portraitist and sculptor. The penny’s design is an adaptation of a plaque previously used by Brenner. President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed with Brenner’s Lincoln Plaque that he recommended its use on a coin for the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. This design entered circulation on August 2, 1909.

Until the introduction of the Lincoln penny, US coins did not regularly feature portraits of historic figures. The design of the penny broke this tradition, highlighting the significance of individual preference in coin design.

Modern Trends and Future Changes

While the orientation of portraits on coins is largely a matter of artistic choice, there are also practical considerations at play. As noted by the United States Mint, the right-facing image of Lincoln is not mandated by the government but was simply a choice made by the designer.

It's worth mentioning that the US Mint continues to innovate and evolve its designs. Recent changes, such as the new direction of the eagle on the Presidential Seal, reflect ongoing efforts to refresh and modernize coin designs.

A notable example is the upcoming bill introduced by US Representative Jim Kolbe, a Republican from Arizona. This bill aims to reduce the use of pennies in everyday transactions. Under Kolbe's proposal, pennies would still exist but would be rendered less necessary through a rounding system where cash purchases would be rounded to the nearest nickel.

According to the Associated Press, the US Mint produced 14.3 billion pennies in the last year, accounting for about 70 percent of its coin production. This bill could significantly impact the use and production of pennies, reflecting broader trends in currency use and economic practices.

In conclusion, the orientation of images on US coins is a matter of artistic choice, reflecting the preferences of the designers rather than strict governmental mandates or political biases. As the US Mint continues to innovate and explore new designs, the landscape of coinage will undoubtedly continue to evolve.