| Author |
 Replies: 22 / Views: 835 |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19964 Posts |
I believe we are seeing a greatly accelerated rate of attrition for all US cents now that minting has stopped. The survivors are being passed more often in commerce.
While there are still billions out there, the regard by all for them is low. I theorize they disappear quicker than many may think. What do you think?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
506 Posts |
I couldn't say whether attrition is accelerated due to heavier use on the remaining coins in circulation. Another factor may be indiscriminate hoarding with the perception of increased value in the near future.
In any case, people need to move on, and get used to cash transactions without the Cent. It doesn't really affect me, personally, since nearly all of my transactions are electronic, and have been for many years.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25432 Posts |
We'll stop using coins before running out of cents.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
|
|
Moderator
United States
15475 Posts |
I'm with HondoB - society will eventually move on from all coins and there will still be cents available when that happens.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19201 Posts |
Tend to agree with the two comments immediately above. Can't rule out a major shift in personal, day-to-day commerce which could trigger an upswing in bartering (half joking...). Two potatoes for that squirrel.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
4593 Posts |
The ZLincolns are one scratch and a rainy day away from dust. Even with billions minted since 1982...
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10595 Posts |
Quote:
I theorize they disappear quicker than many may think. What do you think? All depends on your meaning of "quicker" - quicker than what? We're still finding wheat cents in change. Unless the Government outlaws the use of Lincoln Cents, you're gonna be seeing them for a looooooong time. Even the copper coated zinc cents have an estimated life span, in circulation, of 25 to 30 years - as long as damage doesn't occur and expose the zinc core. |
|
Moderator
United States
189309 Posts |
Quote:
I theorize they disappear quicker than many may think. What do you think? I think you are right. Time will tell.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
19964 Posts |
Quote:
All depends on your meaning of "quicker" - quicker than what? Quicker than when the mint was spitting out billions. Now that pennies are no longer being minted the current fixed supply will exhibit accelerated attrition due to more use. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4870 Posts |
Discontinuation of the cent was long overdue. It should have ended a decade ago at the very least. Other major countries have done so and well they're still on the map. Although the cents were used to facilitate correct change, most people just toss the cents into the take a penny tray and or don't even bother to pick them off the ground.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19964 Posts |
Add the nickel and the dime to that list. Inflation has wiped out their usefulness except to collectors. The quarter and the $1 note should also just go (replaced with $1 coins). Round all cash transactions to the nearest dollar and we're good for at least 25 years. At that point folks probably won't even bend over to pick-up a golden dollar from the ground.  Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
Moderator
United States
189309 Posts |
Quote:At that point folks probably won't even bend over to pick-up a golden dollar from the ground. Do they even do that now? Some of them get kinda gross.   |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19964 Posts |
Quote:
Some of them get kinda gross. Like one on the floor of a portolet at the country fair? Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
New Member
United States
21 Posts |
Even if the current situation holds for a while, there's no guarantee that the government won't be more coordinated in the future. Circulation might stop quite suddenly if that happens. Canada, as far as I know, didn't ever have this gradual transition where they slowly faded from circulation after production ended. There was a particular date chosen where the banks agreed to stop giving them out, retailers were given firm guidance that rounding was permitted, and from that day on, it was a one-way trip to coin heaven for any that were spent. There's no reason that couldn't happen here if one hand ever found out what the other was doing.
Edited by ibagli
06/20/2026 1:50 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4870 Posts |
I wonder if the US Mint would ever create an alloy recovery program like Canada did.
|
|
Moderator
United States
97208 Posts |
Quote:
society will eventually move on from all coins and there will still be cents available when that happens. I have to agree with Nickelseaker on this. |
| |
Replies: 22 / Views: 835 |
Posted 06/06/2026 10:48 pm
