That first issue of Playboy featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover. Financed with $600 of Hefner's money and less than $8,000 of raised capital, the magazine appeared on newsstands December 1, 1953, and sold more than 51,000 issues. courtesy Playboy

The July 1955 issue was the first time the bikini was modeled prominently on the cover. The model on the beach towel is Janet Pilgrim, who also appeared as the issue's Playmate of the Month. courtesy Playboy

Donna Michelle appears in the shape of Playboy's bunny logo on the May 1964 cover. "I had this idea of a girl posing in the shape of the rabbit, but I thought no model would be able to do it," said Art Paul, Playboy's first art director. "I asked Donna and there was no problem. She got into that position with great ease and could still smile." courtesy Playboy

Some of Playboy's simplest covers appeared in the 1960s. This cover, in June 1965, features Hedy Scott in a head wrap, staring intently above her sunglasses. courtesy Playboy

The July 1969 cover model was Barbi Benton, Hefner's girlfriend for the better part of eight years. She would appear on three more covers: March 1970, May 1972 and December 1985. courtesy Playboy

In October 1971, Darine Stern was the first African-American model to appear on a Playboy cover. By putting Stern on the cover, Playboy helped shift the nation's standards of mainstream beauty. Although the magazine had already featured two black Playmates by this time -- Jennifer Jackson (March 1965) and Jean Bell (October 1969) -- nude African-American models were mainly seen in publications produced for and by the black community. courtesy Playboy

Pamela Anderson holds the record for the most Playboy covers. This October 1989 issue was the first of 13 cover appearances. courtesy Playboy

Anna Nicole Smith is named Playmate of the Year on the June 1993 cover. Smith first appeared on Playboy's March 1992 cover. Within months, she was named Miss May 1992 and a spokeswoman for Guess jeans. courtesy Playboy

Jenny McCarthy has appeared on six Playboy covers, including this January 2005 issue where she is wearing a bunny costume. courtesy Playboy

Seth Rogan appears on the cover in April 2009. In Playboy's 60-year history, the magazine has featured a man on the cover 10 times. The first was Peter Sellers in April 1964. Other men on the cover: Burt Reynolds, Steve Martin, Donald Trump, Dan Aykroyd, Jerry Seinfeld, Leslie Nielsen, Gene Simmons and Bruno Mars. courtesy Playboy

Playboy has recently returned to running the more art-inspired concept covers that it was known for in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. This November 2013 "Lips" cover was recently awarded "Cover of the Day" by the Society of Professional Designers. courtesy Playboy