 On January 18 , 1909 , Brenner submitted models to the Mint with a Lincoln profile on the obverse , and a reverse design very similar to that on the then @-@ current French silver coins , showing a tree branch . He also proposed designs for a Lincoln half dollar , with the late president to appear on one side , and a standing Liberty design — almost identical to the obverse of the same French coins . Leach replied on February 2 that no change to the half dollar could be made without congressional approval . By February 9 , Leach had discovered the origin of the branch design — although numismatic historian Don Taxay notes that it is odd Leach had not discovered the source of the standing Liberty design , given that they were on opposite sides of the same French coins . Leach did not confront the sculptor with the artistic borrowing , but instead simply ruled out the submitted designs as unsuitable for the reverse of the cent . He urged the sculptor to prepare a simple design , bearing the denomination , the country 's name , and the motto " E pluribus unum " . Brenner worked quickly , and on February 17 , delivered models for both obverse and reverse similar to the eventual coin , though with a somewhat larger bust of Lincoln , and the motto " In God We Trust " omitted . As a design element on the reverse , Brenner used two ears of durum wheat . The designs were shown to President Roosevelt , who approved them although Roosevelt required " UNITED " , which Brenner had spelled " VNITED " , to be spelled in the conventional way . After Leach examined the models , he objected to the fact that Brenner had put his full surname on the obverse . Brenner wrote in return , " I shall take it out and put it in small letters on the reverse . " 
