Staff Reports
The penny has long been a staple of American currency, but recent discussions reveal it might be time to let this little coin go. As the cost of manufacturing a penny has risen to an astonishing 3.7 cents, the debate on whether to keep or eliminate this one-cent piece has gained traction. With more people questioning its usefulness, the future of the penny may soon be at stake.
At first glance, many might wonder why a penny is still around when it can’t buy anything worthwhile. In fact, one commentator amusingly pointed out that it has been ages since anyone could find a penny useful for their purchases. A blast from the past, penny candy might have once been its claim to fame, but that seems like a distant memory. Kids today tossing pennies into fountains does not seem like a noble gesture; rather, it leads to the acceptance that a penny just isn’t worth much anymore. Frankly, if someone tries to give one away, many might feel insulted.
The laughter didn’t stop there. Some commentators brought humor into the mix by recalling past experiences involving pennies. One recollection included a humorous way of observing socially charged discussions in school years ago. A classmate would present pennies, nickels, and dimes on the desk while examining historical injustices through a quirky lens. Adding to the fun, another participant reflected on the gym class irritations of bagging up coins, raising questions about the cleanliness of change that we often carry. The concept of rolling pennies seems painfully old-school when technology, like Venmo, has permeated even the streets of New York.
Determining whether we should keep pennies around or not seems to also circle back to the cold, hard math. The idea of saving money—about $179 million—by eliminating the production of pennies might be convincing enough for conservative budgeters in the country. After all, it’s romantic to think of pennies as lucky tokens from fountains but when manufacturing costs skyrocket, romance must bow to reality. Tombstones often memorialize coins, but the penny has perhaps overstayed its welcome.
Some argue that getting rid of the penny could hasten a transition to a world that relies more on digital transactions. This notion raises an interesting prospect: are we stepping into the future when carrying change in our pockets may soon be a relic of the past? With society moving towards convenience, the coin that started it all might just find itself retired along with outdated notions and once-beloved traditions.
As debates rage on, one thing is certain: the penny could become a symbol of eras gone by. Whether it carries nostalgic baggage of childhood memories or serves as a reminder of a simpler time, the wisdom of letting go might lead us to embrace a new way of dealing with money. After all, who wouldn’t want to save a few bucks while embarking on this modern journey? In the end, the question remains: should we hoard our coins’ worth or release the penny to embrace a penny-free path? Only time will tell.
