10 Facts About Pennies... (Trust Me, This Is Worth Every Penny!)
While attempting to find the value of rare pennies for some of our loyal readers, I came across some interesting info about pennies in general.
Just thought I'd share...
photo by Joshua Whiting
Did you know?
- The average penny lasts 25 years!
- Pennies were the very first coins minted in the United States. In March 1793, the mint distributed 11,178 copper cents. (The amount of copper and zinc in the penny has changed significantly through the years.)
- There have been 11 different designs featured on the penny.
- The Lincoln penny was first minted and circulated in 1909, the 100th anniversary of his birth.
In a coin toss, I always choose tails. Here's why. (...although the U.S. Mint disputes this theory)
- Lincoln faces to the right, while all other portraits on coins face to the left. This was not done on purpose -- it was simply the choice of the coin designer.
- The penny was the first U.S. coin to have the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". (Clarification: see Ben's comment below.)
- Lincoln pennies made from 1909 to 1958 were designed by Victor D. Brenner. His initials V.D.B. were on a limited quantity of the 1909 pennies making it one of the most sought after pennies for collecting.
Little-known facts (& NPR audio) about Frank Gasparro, an engraver at the U.S. Mint whose Lincoln Memorial design has graced the "tails" side of the penny since 1959 (...Lincoln's 150th birthday. The same year they replaced the wheat shafts on the back of the penny with the Lincoln Memorial).
- Approximately 30 million pennies per day (1,040 pennies every second) are produced. Each year, the U.S. Mint produces more than 13 billion pennies.
- Over two-thirds of all coins produced by the U.S. Mint are pennies. In fact, the penny is the most widely used denomination currently in circulation and it remains profitable to make. Each penny costs .93 of a cent to make, but the Mint collects one cent for it. The profit goes to help fund the operation of the Mint and to help pay the public debt.
- A recent poll by Opinion Research Corporation found that more than 70% of Americans support keeping the penny in circulation. (NOTE: elimination of the penny would lead to higher prices, since prices would then be rounded to the nearest five cents.)
RELATED:
U.S. Mint Printing Guidelines
10 Reasons to Keep the Penny in Circulation
The head is slightly heavier, so the theory would be it would most likely land tails up.
i have the same coin what do you know about it
hi whats the theory to how the penny most likely lands on tails i believe it my dad always flipscoins to settle disputes between my sister and i and i always pick tails he just says its a 50-50 chance lol :P
Hey I didn't even know this website existed until i did a science project and had to Google it on the computer and it popped up
Hi, Jackie B:
The early "small cents" (1856-1864) were made from a copper-nickel composition and were in fact thicker and heavier than the pennies struck from bronze starting later in 1864.
hey where can u get the 1863 penny cuz i rly wnt 1 now i wanna see what it loos likes
i have an 1863 penny but it looks really thick compared to a penny today is that normal or do i have a fake?
That 1975 penny was not struck at the U.S. Mint with Oregon on it....What you have is a novelty coin. It may have a small amount of value--perhaps a dollar or two--with some novelty coin collectors, but really has no monetary value in the general coin market.
A FRIEND OF MINE HAS ONE OF THESE PENNIES. WHERE CAN WE GET INFORMATION ON IT AND DOES IT HAVE VALUE. THANKS
thats sweet dude!
I have a 1975 penny with the shape of oregon on the front, to the right of Lincoln, with the OR inside the shape stamped on it. Is this penny worth anything or is it a fake?
is it true that lincoln faces the other way
because he free the slaves
i have a 1976 penny with the liberty bell n usa map also a 1944 penny with the wheat design on the back no mint letter on it a 1953,1955, and 1957 penny with d- mint on it and the wheat sign on the back are they worth anything
1944 and 1957-D are two of the most common wheaties that there are. They aren't really worth much at all unless they're uncirculated, then they might be worth a dollar or so.
The 1953 and 1955 are also fairly common dates. Unless the 1955 is a double-die (the date is doubled) it's not worth a whole lot either. Same with the '53.
The 1976 pennies are basically novelties that someone stamped a bunch of patriotic stuff on for the country's bicentennial. No real value there, but they do make interesting conversation pieces.
i have a 1976 penny with the liberty bell n usa map also a 1944 penny with the wheat design on the back no mint letter on it a 1953,1955, and 1957 penny with d- mint on it and the wheat sign on the back are they worth anything please email me tnx yamilla711@hotmail.com
I have a 1976 penny with a Liberty Bell and USA map. Is it worth anything or just someone messing around making people like me think it's rare? HA-HA! Thanks.
I have a penny collection roughly from 1909 to 1974, around 3 to 4 of each year. They're all copper/zinc accept for my 4 1943 pennies. (They're steel). How much do you think they are worth? if you will email me that would be great. Thanks!
I have a 1975 penny with the liberty bell on the left of Abraham Lincon and the map of the united states of america on the right
if you have any information abouthow much it may be worth if any e-mail me soon
your website was the only one where i could find fun facts about the penny if it werent for your website i wouldve gotten an F on my science project thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 1976 penny with WY in a box stamped on right side. what is it worth if anything.
i found a 1975 penny stamped with the liberty bell and USA map...is worth anything ...
I also have the penny stamped with the liberty bell and US map. A 1976 Are they worth anything? Let me know. Thanks Providia
I have some pennies with the outline of a state stamped on the right above the date. 1975 on all of them. Does anyone have Alabama for sale?
Cecelia
tnt212@comcast.net
hi i was wondering if u knew an estamate on how many pennies r in ontairo? haha! its a crazy question i no but i would apresaiate it. ty
today i learned a lot of facts about pennies that i never knew before.and i never thought i would know so many cool facts about pennies!
I hav been saving pennys. Some are in great contition, and some in bad condition. How do you clean them? Will it take the value away from them if I clean them?
I think if you find out how much they are worth post it on ebay. I have found many intresting pennies thou none of them as old. Also I found one that was so scratched up nothing but the scratch lines was dicernable.
also have the penny stamped with the liberty bell and US map. Mines not silver though, but it is a 1976 not a 75. Anyone find out if they're worth anything... Let me know. THANX. Dave
I have a 1904 penny with a indian on it in real go shape
I also have a liberty bell/usa penny, is your "silver"?
akleg@juno.com
i got one of the 1975 liberty penny how much is it worth!
please reply?
redneckhickracer@yahoo.com
Why is one side of the penny called tails?
I also have a 1975 penny with the Liberty Bell on the left side of Lincoln and the map with USA imprinted on the right side.
According to one site I visited (allexperts.com?), merchants often stamp coins for marketing purposes. Not sure how many pennies have been stamped w/the Liberty Bell and US outline or why.
Any other inputs?
Jeff
jscar1@hotmail.com
I have a 1975 Lincoln penny with the Liberty Bell on the left side of Lincoln and the map with USA imprinted on the right side.
Please reply on the value
Thanks dm155@bellsouth.net
The Lincon Penny was not the first to have the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". Actually the first U.S. coin to have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on it was the two-cent piece minted from 1864-1873.
i did not know all that bout now penny