2009 The New 1943?

i guess what keeps running through my head is that there may be some inconsistancies in metal mixture giving coins a natural difference in tone due to the batch of metal it was made from... I couldnt imagine they could melt and mix all of the metal needed for the billions of pennies they will mint in 2009 at once... so if its done in batches I expect to see some differences...

I don't know how to quote or even if there is one here. So I just copy and paste. As to the concern of metal mixes, it is no problem at all. If you notice the composition of almost all our coins they are presently a mixture. Take the 1959 cent. It is .950% Copper and the rest Zinc and Tin. If the amount of Tin or Zinc varies by a .001%, I don't think anyone would notice, care, complain or even wonder why. Metals everywhere are usually a mixture of different metals. Take your so called Stainless Steel. Look it up. There are virtually hundreds of variations in the mixture and no one even notices except doctors that require Surgical Stainless Steel.
If our cents were to be made of Steel and the mixture was not perfect, I highly doubt anyone would notice or care.
Now if they do change the composition of the cent and save us all millions and millions of dollars. OK so they do. Now just where does that money go? Do you think your income taxes will go down?

Not to take sides but... Kurt is right. Frankly you would not see a difference at the end of the day, week, month, or year. Rounding would happen in both directions i.e., if your total bill on any purchase was 1.01 or 1.02 you would pay one dollar if it were 1.03 or 1.04 you would pay one dollar and 5 cents. In the end I believe you would see little difference in your out of pocket cost.

Interestingly, attitudes are already changing in regards to cents. Some stores have bowls sitting by the register with cents in them for customers to use as needed. I have seen patrons place their cents in the bowls as they leave, or tell the cashier not to bother with them. (Must not be collectors.) An indication of their lack of real and or perceived value. What substance could they be made of in order to remain at a lower manufacturing cost than face value with inflation continuing at present levels?