Just saw a post on FB last night that was pretty interesting and kind of fascinating.
Did you know that the Penny was NEVER officially marked as a "Penny" or named that in its 232 year life?
Penny is an old British term that was carried over but it was always officially a "Cent"
quote:
“Penny” is an informal, historical name carried over from English usage; it became the common spoken word for the U.S. one-cent coin even though the United States has never minted a coin literally called a “penny.”
Key points:
Etymology and English origin “Penny” derives from Old English peniġ, used for small-value copper coins in England for centuries. That name persisted in everyday language for small-denomination coins. English-speaking colonists brought that vocabulary to North America; they continued to call small copper coins “pennies” regardless of the official name.
U.S. official nomenclature:
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress power “to coin Money” and regulate value, but early U.S. legislation and the Mint established the unit as the “cent” (one‑hundredth of a dollar). Official documents, coin statutes, and Mint publications call the coin a “one cent piece” (or “cent”). The coin’s inscriptions (e.g., UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE CENT) reflect that formal name.
Popular usage vs. legal/technical terms:
Common speech often favors short, familiar words. “Penny” is easier and historically entrenched, so it became the colloquial label for the U.S. cent.
Similar patterns exist elsewhere: Canadians and Australians also call their one-cent coins “pennies” even after changing designs or discontinuing the coin.
Cultural reinforcement:
Newspapers, literature, advertising, and everyday conversation reinforced “penny.” Iconic phrases (penny candy, penny for your thoughts) and the depiction of Abraham Lincoln on the U.S. cent (the “Lincoln penny”) made the term sticky.
Popular numismatic writing and hobbyists use both terms; collectors will say “cent” in formal contexts and “penny” informally.
The U.S. never legally issued a coin named “penny,” but the English-language habit of calling small copper coins “pennies” transferred to the U.S. cent and stuck in everyday usage. Official terminology remains “cent,” while “penny” is a customary, colloquial synonym.
November 15, 2025, 09:54 PM
Pipe Smoker
I wish the final mint pennies were actually copper. A nice touch that would’ve been.
Serious about crackers.
November 15, 2025, 09:55 PM
sigmonkey
Damn, and I just ordered a new pair of Penny Loafers...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד
November 16, 2025, 10:13 AM
V-Tail
Store gonna change its name to J.C. Nickel.
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
November 16, 2025, 11:47 AM
2BobTanner
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey: Damn, and I just ordered a new pair of Penny Loafers...
--------------------- DJT-45/47 MAGA !!!!!
“Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur.”
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." — Mark Twain
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” — H. L. Mencken
November 16, 2025, 12:56 PM
egregore
Cashiers now having to round change up or down to the nearest nickel (already seeing signage to that effect) are going to be confused. I wouldn't be surprised if this takes changes in register programming to accommodate them, or to balance the books at the end of a shift.
"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
November 16, 2025, 01:12 PM
newtoSig765
quote:
Originally posted by Plugugly: Local stores are already claiming that they will bring rounding everything up to the next nickle.
Fancy that.
-------------------------- Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H L Mencken
I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is. -- JALLEN 10/18/18
November 16, 2025, 02:48 PM
honestlou
I don’t think the cost to make it is relevant. They stay in circulation for 50 years. Now it is relevant to make sure the melted value doesn’t exceed the face value- hence the zinc alloys.
November 17, 2025, 12:31 AM
hrcjon
I ordered at a fast food place today and was chatting with the person about my change. They said when their supply of pennies is gone the menu is going to be adjusted to make it all come out to nickles. I thought that's quick...
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
December 12, 2025, 11:34 PM
StorminNormin
So the first set of 232 final minted Pennies sold at auction for $200,000.
The final minted penny sold for $800,000. I knew these would go for crazy amounts.
I will just hold onto a few normal Pennies.
NRA Benefactor Life Member
December 13, 2025, 12:02 AM
BGULL
Coincidentally, the last bit of change my wife got these last few days included a fairly nice condition, 1907 Indian head penny. Amazing to us that it would still be freely circulating, given that it was a noticeable variation from the current pennies.
Bill Gullette
December 13, 2025, 12:28 AM
StorminNormin
quote:
Originally posted by BGULL: Coincidentally, the last bit of change my wife got these last few days included a fairly nice condition, 1907 Indian head penny. Amazing to us that it would still be freely circulating, given that it was a noticeable variation from the current pennies.
Yeah I would hold onto that.
NRA Benefactor Life Member
December 13, 2025, 01:49 PM
newtoSig765
When I was a kid back in the 1950's, classic coins were common. I always had an Indian Head penny, Liberty Head dime, or a silver dollar in my pocket. Haven't seen any circulating in decades, now.
I have a box in my junk drawer that I threw old coins in. There are a bunch of wheat-back pennies in it, one from 1934, along with a Liberty Head dime from 1944, all picked up in change years ago.
-------------------------- Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H L Mencken
I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is. -- JALLEN 10/18/18
December 13, 2025, 01:49 PM
whanson_wi
Somebody's coin collection got raided for that Indian Head.
=== I would like to apologize to anyone I have *not* offended. Please be patient. I will get to you shortly.
December 13, 2025, 03:08 PM
6guns
Speaking of pennies, do any of you separate the 1983 and earlier cents from your piles of pennies? As I recall, it was sometime mid-1983 when they went to inner zinc pennies.
SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
December 13, 2025, 06:26 PM
egregore
I guess there will be no more asking for a penny for one's thoughts.
"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
February 28, 2026, 10:05 AM
bendable
* old thread alert * * Old thread alert *
I just checked, According to Goog al,
A nickel cost a dollar to mint.
Wondering if paper nickles would be cheaperThis message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,
Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.
Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first
February 28, 2026, 11:21 AM
2BobTanner
As of the 2024 fiscal year, it costs approximately 13.8 cents ($0.1378) to produce and distribute a single US nickel, despite it only having a face value of 5 cents. The cost to produce nickels has remained above their face value for 19 consecutive years, with expenses rising due to increased raw material costs.
Key facts about nickel production:
Production Cost: 13.78 cents ($0.1378) per nickel.
Loss per Coin: The U.S. Mint loses nearly 9 cents on every nickel produced.
Total Cost: In 2024, producing 112.8 million nickels cost taxpayers roughly $17.7 million.
Composition: Nickels are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Rising Costs: The cost rose from 10.41 cents in 2023 to 13.78 cents in 2024, a significant jump driven by higher material prices.
While the penny is often cited as the most expensive coin to produce, the nickel actually represents a higher total loss per unit and in total annual production costs.
A wooden nickel is a non-currency, wooden token often used as a promotional item, souvenir, or coupon, frequently measuring 1.5 inches in diameter. Popularized in the 1930s, they were often issued by merchants, banks, or during local celebrations, sometimes redeemable for goods. The phrase "don't take any wooden nickels" serves as a warning against being swindled or tricked.
Key details about wooden nickels:
Purpose: They are used as souvenirs, promotional tools, or tokens in incentive programs.
Origin: Often issued during local celebrations (like town centennials) or during times of economic distress, such as the Great Depression. Customization: They can be customized with logos or text, often produced in bulk from materials like hardwood maple.
Value: They have no intrinsic currency value and are generally worth less than their stated "nickel" value.
--------------------- DJT-45/47 MAGA !!!!!
“Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur.”
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." — Mark Twain
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” — H. L. Mencken
February 28, 2026, 12:12 PM
StorminNormin
I never knew that there was a steel penny. In 1943 Pennies were made of steel to save copper for World War II. Since the penny has been discontinued, I decided to make sure I have some of every type of penny. I ordered a roll of steel Pennie’s to have some. I am not a true coin collector, but I do like to collect them. I also got a 1909 penny where the designer snuck his initials on the coin.
NRA Benefactor Life Member
February 28, 2026, 01:24 PM
2BobTanner
^^^^^^
The 1944 Pennies were minted from recycled shell casings, as it was becoming clear that the Allies were eventually going to win and metal shortages were lessening.
--------------------- DJT-45/47 MAGA !!!!!
“Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur.”
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." — Mark Twain
“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” — H. L. Mencken
I wouldn't be surprised if this takes changes in register programming to accommodate them, or to balance the books at the end of a shift.
