The History of The United States Penny is a bit more contraversial than I realized:
When the Lincoln cent made its initial appearance in 1909, it marked a radical departure from accepted styling, introducing as it did for the first time a portrait coin in the regular series. A strong feeling had prevailed against the use of portraits on the coins of the country but public sentiment stemming from the 100th anniversary celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birth proved stronger than the long-standing prejudice.
Washington would not allow his likeness to be used on a coin — he didn’t want to be treated like a king — and that tradition was upheld for over a century.