Penny For Your Thoughts?

Silvie Leaf ’26

Four years after the Constitution was ratified, the penny was born. Printed on the face of the original coin was a female representation of Liberty, with long, flowing hair. For the next century, her hair was slowly shortened and later placed into braids. In 1859, the Mint Director decided it would be a good idea to appropriate indigenous culture and engrave Lady Liberty in a stereotypical Native American headdress. This is especially ironic considering by 1859, every single treaty (over 300) between the United States and Native American tribes had been broken. Finally in 1909, Abraham Lincoln took his place on the front of the coin. Now, at 253 years old, the penny has been discontinued.

The reason for the penny’s death is simple and makes logical sense: it costs too much to produce. One penny costs 3.7 cents to make, 270% more than its actual worth, leading the government to lose $85.3 million in 2024. However, I’m worried about the repercussions. For starters, when will I pick up my last face-up penny and make a wish? Will my luck wash up once I no longer spot a penny on the subway platforms? What about fountains and wishing wells? Will I now have to use nickels, quintupling the value of a penny, to make my desires come true? At least I can hope that increases the likelihood of the desire coming true fivefold. Worst of all, have we checked in on poor Yuriy and the chemistry teachers? Eager tenth graders will no longer be allowed to witness the post-1982 pennies melt under a bunsen burner. Illegal alert?

Pennies have always been present in my life beyond their monetary value and the simple fact of their existence. My maternal grandfather had a collection entirely dedicated to them, but instead of following in his footsteps, I chose stamps instead (sorry Grandpa Peter). On the other side of my family, my paternal grandmother likes to collect wheat pennies. Made from 1909 to 1958, wheat pennies are just pennies that have wheat on the back instead of the White House or the union shield. That’s why it’s instinctive for me to flip over every penny I receive to check the back. I also always check if a penny has my birth year, and if it does, I flip it over my left shoulder and make a wish. Now, that all is disappearing, so with great sadness, I say goodbye to my dear friend, the penny.

May it rest in peace.