He's On Our Money

Abraham Lincoln walked about three miles on February 9th 1864 to the photography studio of Matthew B Brady, and sat for several photos. It was three days before his 55th birthday. Brady set up the shots of Lincoln, while his cameraman Anthony Berger took the portraits. Brady sold the glass negative to the government in 1872 for twenty-five thousand dollar. Of course by this time, he had sold hundreds of prints of the photos.

One of the photos taken that day would become the image we’re familiar with on the five dollar bill. Another shot taken that day of the President in profile would become the Lincoln on our pennies, as well as on the 4 cent stamp of 1965.