The US 1931 Cent was minted during the Great Depression, a period of severe economic hardship. Made of 95% copper, the US 1931 Cent reflected the U.S. governments reliance on copper as a stable metal for coinage during times of economic crisis. The US 1931 Cent circulated as the country faced widespread unemployment and financial instability.
Politically, the US 1931 Cent was issued under President Herbert Hoover, whose administration struggled with the economic downturn. The design, featuring Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a wheat stalk on the reverse, symbolized both national resilience and the difficult economic circumstances of the time.