Sign in to wowOwow

Enter the username or e-mail address that you used when registering at wowOwow.
The password field is case sensitive. Click here if you have forgotten your password.

Please register for wowOwow

By registering, you indicate that you have read and agree
with our privacy policy and terms of service.
Home › Politics

Politics | 05/14/2009 3:15 pm

U.S. Mint Unveils New Penny

USMint.gov celebrates Lincoln’s birth with a series of new pennies.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Image via USMint.gov

The U.S. Mint is giving honest Abraham Lincoln a makeover.

While many people look at the penny as a nuisance, our collective piggy banks will soon be stocked with a new penny. The coins, which can be viewed at USmint.gov, depict the 16th president in his early "formative" years and honor Lincoln’s 200th birthday. The site says:

In 2009, the United States Mint is minting and issuing four new one-cent coins available in two-roll sets in recognition of the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln Cent. The reverse of the Lincoln Cent will reflect four different designs, each one representing a different aspect, or theme, of the life of President Abraham Lincoln. The one-cent coin reverse designs will be issued every three months throughout the year, and are available for a limited time only.

Some people tried to prohibit the penny, but, as Marginal Revolution points out, the zinc industry has successfully lobbied for the new coins. 

What do you think: Do we need more pennies in our lives, or should they go the way of the dinosaur?

Read more about: Abraham Lincoln, Money, New Penny, News, U.S., U.S. Mint, USmint.gov

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

RachelF
Keep the pennies! lol ;)
By RachelF on 05/14/2009 4:02 pm
GrammaJ
Yes, we need pennies.  I never fail to pick one up whenever, wherever, I find it.  I have a jar for all my change, and every year, that is what we go to the county fair on.  You would be amazed at how it adds up!
By GrammaJ on 05/14/2009 4:27 pm
DeBrcaobj
I thought we were doing away with pennies.
By DeBrcaobj on 05/14/2009 4:45 pm
RebeccaG

That would be the smart thing to do but this is a Government of The Lobbyists, By the Lobbyists and For the Lobbyists.  In this instance, the Zinc Lobby.

If I was Queen Lobbying would be a Capital Crime.

By RebeccaG on 05/14/2009 5:15 pm
ElizabethBennett

They should do a steel penny like we had in World War II.  [When zinc and copper were too precious.] After all, we cannot afford the penny, it costs more than a penny to make. 

 I love the art in coins, but I don’t think Abe would resent being presented in steel; he was a man of steel in a way, having founded the Transcontinental railway system.  [In the  middle of the Civil War!  How is that for multitasking!]

By ElizabethBennett on 05/14/2009 5:03 pm
SteveR

If we got rid of the penny, think of all those prices that would have to be rounded (up) to the nearest nickel. Sales tax would also be rounded by more than a penny.

I agree that it is time to use a different alloy for pennies. It’s not like they have to be compatible with intelligent vending machines.

By SteveR on 05/14/2009 5:17 pm
EKA
Doesn’t it cost more to MAKE than it is worth ? Either do away with them or find a different metal. 
By EKA on 05/14/2009 8:52 pm
AndreaBrandon
Get rid of pennies, regarless of the materials they are made of. They are a royal pain in the neck.
By AndreaBrandon on 05/14/2009 9:28 pm