What was the first currency authorized by the U.S. government?
      The penny

How many pennies has the government minted since 1787?
      More than 300 billion

What year was the Lincoln cent introduced?
      1909

What is the lifespan of the average penny?
      25 years

How many different penny designs have been used throughout U.S. history?
      Eleven

Answers from:
      http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/business/article.adp?id=20060223110409990006