Now if only I could find (or afford) a penny made out of aluminum.

Mot sure if 3 months required the “old thread” disclaimer, but, the last 3 stores I paid in cash at, did not return pennies. I asked the checker at Murdoch’s about it and she said it has been a couple months now. She went on to say that they will still take pennies if a customer has exact change, but they round down and give back a nickel or dime to make change.

They are still minting new pennies which you can buy in proof sets from the US Mint.

Are younger generations interested any more in coin collecting? It seems there is a general disinterest in historical items.