Has anyone else noticed the detail in Lincoln's beard is no longer there? I have looked at last year's cents and compared them with say a 2008 cent. On the 2008 you can see the hairlines. On the 2019 the beard is flat. When did this change? John
Welcome to CT John. I think that the sheer volume of cents being turned out that the dies become worn quickly, so less details show up. Some of the finer detailed coins would come from the mint putting a new working die in place. I could be wrong so wait for others to chime in.
The Lincoln obverse as well as reverse overall design was changed after 2009 and has become more mushy. I'm not a fan of these changes. And I'm not a fan of the shield.