Community Voice Responses (11/06/12)

From the October 12th Numismatic e-newsletter: Have you changed your mind about abolishing the cent? Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers to Editor Dave Harper.

Hi everyone from my new locale! As it stands right now I say tot ziens to the cent! Here in the Netherlands the euro cent does not circulate due to the fact, businesses round up and round down.
Personally, I have found no difference on my bottom line. In two prior writings I have supported the same position. Now I can say it with proven fact to myself once again. I also challenge that the American public take the same stance and save some taxpayer money and drop the cent, except as mentioned in my prior writings.
Gary Kess
Berkel, The Netherlands

The cent is past its time.
Has anyone who is working for an hourly wage thought how long they have to work to earn one cent? For me it figures out to two seconds. I have already spent more time typing this email than a cent is worth to me.
In the summer there is a road side eatery in my neighborhood that has solved the cent problem and a bit more. Actually “two bits” more. Everything on the menu is rounded to the nearest quarter. Only the quarter is needed to make change. The food is good, and no one feels they are being ripped off.
Every business should do this.
Going back to my first example, I work less than one minute to earn a quarter. The pocket change of the United States should consist of the quarter, the dollar, and the half Eagle ($5), with the paper bills starting at $10.
Richard A. Bumpus

Marion, Mass.

With the cost of production for so long being so much greater than face value it is stupid to not eliminate the cent from the coinage of the nation. It is no longer needed, and with the oncoming major inflation it will even be less needed.
Griff Carnes

Kerrville, Texas

The business strike Lincoln cents should go as it is costing way to much to produce, but I think the U.S. Mint should keep producing them for the proof and mint sets and maybe even change to compositions of those Lincoln cents back to 95 percent copper like they did in 2009.
Jesse Tarshis

Montrose, Colo.

The cent is pretty much useless today. It’s only real use is to make change. By itself it has zero buying power. If the cent remains there will need to be a composition change. The question then becomes what would be a viable composition? In the long run it’s all irrelevant as cash will be obsolete in 20 to 50 years. Most transactions today are already done electronically to varying degrees.
Bryan

New Columbia, Ky.

Nope, my mind is made up. Regardless of popular opinion, the cent should stay. Like baseball and the apple pie, the cent has deep roots in the “American Way Of Life.”
So there’s no need to be quitters in this case, just show some ingenuity. If the penny is broke, then I’m not opposed to finding a way to fix it by making the cent cheaper.
The cent has been with us through tougher times then this. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water. There’s no honor in giving up on the cent; we’re much better then that. If we still have a fighting chance too save it, then let’s get off our laurels and do it. Now that’s the “American Way.”
Mercury R. Williams

Seattle, Wash.

If the 1 cent coin did not have our revered President Lincoln on it, it would be easier to eliminate. On what coin can we put Honest Abe on if the cent is abolished, a $2 coin perhaps? Americans might go for that trade off. Canada and Australia have had $2 circulating coins for many years now.
John Matejko

Pearl City, Hawaii

I believe the cent should stay, but I am sentimental about it. However, it is only a matter of time, eventually the U.S. Government will stop producing the cent. I often tell people, if you have any, hang onto them.
Clint Sparks

Lucerne, Ind.

The cent should stay.
Rod Stryker

Battle Ground, Wash.

No, I haven’t changed my mind about the one cent coin remaining in our ever depleting inventory of United States minted coins!
Larry W. Young

Tyrone, Ga.

I recommend that we discontinue it. Unfortunately, our Congress is a bunch of lazy slackers and would know a good economic decision if it bit them.
J. Marasia

Miramar Beach, Fla.

No. End the one cent mintage as it costs more than it is worth. End the five cents coin, too.
Wesley Ellis

Portland, Ore.

The cent has to go. Why does Canada always seem to get it right? It has been 30 years outmoded.
Ray Herz

Jacksonville, Fla.

The Government must stop minting the Cent, as well as the Nickel.
On top of that, they should stop printing the $1 and $5 bills, and replace them with $1 and $5 coins.
These are sound and logical economic reasons behind these decisions. Other countries have done this, and the public adapted. It’s not such a big deal as some people make it to be.
Will this ever happen? Sure, when pigs fly and hell freezes over. After all, since when does the government and Congress do anything that makes any economic sense?
Oded Paz

Arco, Idaho

I would like very much to see the one cent coin stay in our currency. Thank you for your time and continued fine reading.
Edward J. Moschetti

Pittsburgh, Pa.

I would like to see the one cent coin abolished. I would rather have items rounded off rather than carry the extra cents in my pocket. The one cent costs too much to produce and our government is continuing to lose money. I am also tired of the coins getting black spots on them due to the materials used to make them.
Greg Johnsrude

Cupertino, Calif.

I love the new shield pennies when they are shiny and uncirculated but I understand it cost the government over 2 cents just to make one, so yes I would like to see them stay.
Kip Caven

Jackson, Miss.

I think it’s time to go.
Irv Hitzler

Address withheld

The penny needs to go.
Scott Bergeron

Address withheld

No, we don’t need or want it to cost too much to make
Robert M.

Lynch, Maryland

I am very much not in favor of stopping the minting of the penny
So my vote is to continue
Keith Jennings

West Des Moines, Iowa

No. Keep the penny. The cost to consumers is too great to abolish the penny.
William Johnston

Texas

Delete it.
William Orne

Address withheld

Adios, penny.
Ronald D. Johnson

Address withheld

It should stay.
Peter Mancuso

Massachussetts

The U.S. Mint should begin transitioning away from the cent and the nickel. Both could be replaced by a 2 1/2 cent piece. It could be the same size and thickness as the old trime, and made of bronze, if possible. Until they come up with an acceptable size/composition for general circulation, they could be included in mint and/or proof sets. This would generate more interest, and get the public a little better prepared for the change.
Dennis Paulsen

Address withheld

It either assumes one did want the cent abolished and changed their mind to not wanting it abolished, or vice-versa, so if I answer “Yes,” which am I saying “Yes” to?
The question should be re-worded to something like “If you were in favor of abolishing the cent, have you changed your mind” or something similar.
At any rate, it’s my opinion that as long as Abe Lincoln is on the cent, and there is an Illinois Congressional delegation, the cent will never be abolished, even if they have to make it out of compressed sawdust and glue..
Harv Laser

California

I have not changed my mind. Omit the cent.
George Starkey

Folsom, Calif.

Keep the cent.
Ed Johnson

Towner, N.D.