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 Replies: 29 / Views: 3,120 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
I feel it's long overdue that the US Mint cease to produce pennies. As a cashier who opens lots of rolls I have a few observations.
1. Nobody wants them. Most leave the pennies in the take a penny tray.
2. Most rolls I open have VERY ugly and dirty/corroded coins. Is this how we want the USA presented?
3. People don't bother picking them up off the ground.
4. They cost more to produce than than the face value.
5. Canada ditched them and they didn't fall off the map. In fact a number of countries ditched them.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19110 Posts |
This topic has been surfaced many times on this forum over the last several years--always a spirited debate. When you have time, search the forum for 'discontinued pennies', 'retired cents', or other similar terms. Much discussion. Just one of many related topics: http://goccf.com/t/331824Edited by ijn1944
08/03/2021 07:54 am
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Moderator
 United States
187541 Posts |
I agree 100%. The US cent should have been retired at the turn of the century at minimum, but even earlier than that if possible. Stop minting Zincolns for circulation. Mint bronze Lincoln cents for proof and uncirculated Mint sets. Everyone wins.  |
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New Member
United States
10 Posts |
Zinc pennies are like the self-destructing tape on the old Mission Impossible TV show. They Electrolytically attract other elements and give off an ion in exchange to bond (or corrode) with very little contact. They are the cheap batteries that leak and ruin your camera or flashlight.
Ironically that means that despite billions and billions made, only a small fraction will suruvive and be collectible. Theres no way to tell which ones are on the fast track to the coinstar graveyard except time, heat and a little moisture.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I'm going to suspect that it costs more to make one cent than it is worth and that somebody is making money on them being produced. Some of the cost has to go to wages and salaries. In some cases, very large salaries.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7613 Posts |
The Zinc lobbyists in Washington are the biggest roadblock to eliminating the cent. It's been that way a long time and it's not gonna change anytime soon!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
JBuck beat me to it. The Kennedy was removed from circulation and still has a place in the mint/proof sets. So there's the solution.
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19110 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
94666 Posts |
Quote:
3. People don't bother picking them up off the ground. I for one, pick up every cent I see on the ground..  |
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Moderator
United States
187541 Posts |
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I'm going to suspect that it costs more to make one cent than it is worth It has been like this for about twenty years now.  Even if the material were free ("zinc from thin air!") the total cost still exceeds one cent per cent minted. This says it all... when a bag of 100 plastic play pennies costs 627 real ones!   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19110 Posts |
Wonder what the actual wholesale cost is on those plastic cents.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
It would be interesting if the cent was done away with. Being someone who only deals in cash, I am wondering how I will get my change when I get KFC. I will be stashing up the copper cents while I can! When the cent isn't used, they may lift the copper melting laws.
I always pick change up off of the ground. But, when I reach my hand into a Coinstar to pick up the leftovers, it is disgusting when I get a handful of cents stuck together by food and dirt.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
I was told one time by someone in a pedantic manner, that there is no such thing as a penny in the USA. He said in the USA, they are cents. But then I looked on the US Mint website and they call them pennies there. So much for that idea.
Anyway, yes, get rid of the penny. Even though I have like a 20 pound bag of wheat pennies that I've accumulated over the years but never looked at them, I don't really like collecting pennies. Maybe I'd go for the Indian Head pennies, but haven't started that either. I do see that penny collecting seems very popular in this forum, though.
For that matter, they should probably get rid of the nickel as well, or at least change its composition.
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Moderator
United States
187541 Posts |
Quote:
Wonder what the actual wholesale cost is on those plastic cents. I guarantee you it is > $1. Like I said, free material would still cost more than a cent to become a cent. Quote:
Being someone who only deals in cash, I am wondering how I will get my change when I get KFC. Ask any Canadian, they have been living without their cent almost ten years now. Quote:
I was told one time by someone in a pedantic manner, that there is no such thing as a penny in the USA. He said in the USA, they are cents. But then I looked on the US Mint website and they call them pennies there. So much for that idea. The USA does not have a nickel either... it is five cents... so yeah, the "no penny" argument is rubbish. Call it a penny, almost everyone will know what you meant... even the pedantic! Quote:
For that matter, they should probably get rid of the nickel as well, or at least change its composition. Preach!  |
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Valued Member
United States
266 Posts |
Also, in my opinion, the one and two dollar bills should be eliminated and replaced with coins. I hate to say that because two dollar bills are cool, but realistically we don't need them.
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Moderator
United States
187541 Posts |
 You are singing my tune. |
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Replies: 29 / Views: 3,120 |
Posted 08/03/2021 09:01 am
