Final answer:
The back of pennies before the introduction of the Lincoln Memorial design featured the Wheat Ears reverse from 1909 to 1958, surrounding the inscriptions for denomination and nation. The design represented American heritage and honored President Lincoln's birth centennial. In 1959, the design changed to the Lincoln Memorial to mark his 150th birthday.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immediately before the Lincoln Memorial design penny went into circulation in 1959, pennies featured the Wheat Ears reverse, also known as the Wheat Penny or Wheat Cent. This design showcased two stalks of wheat surrounding the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.' The Wheat Ears design was produced from 1909, the year marking the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, until 1958.
The Wheat Penny design was a departure from previous designs and served as a tribute to President Lincoln, with the obverse featuring his image, designed by Victor David Brenner. The introduction of this penny was part of a broader movement in the early 20th century to revamp American coinage. By celebrating Lincoln, a beloved President who preserved the Union, the penny emphasized national unity and symbolized American heritage.
When the Lincoln Memorial design was introduced in 1959, marking the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the wheat stalks were replaced with an image of the Lincoln Memorial, itself a symbol of unity and the enduring legacy of Lincoln's presidency. This new design featured the memorial's facade and was in use until 2008 when the reverse was once again redesigned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.