Today, we bid a quiet farewell to a small but enduring piece of American history — the penny. For over 160 years, this humble coin has passed through the hands of presidents and children, soldiers and store clerks, grandmothers and gas station attendants. It has jingled in pockets, hidden beneath couch cushions, filled piggy banks, and been pressed into souvenirs on family vacations.

Born in 1857, the penny carried the face of Abraham Lincoln — a symbol of integrity, perseverance, and unity — and reminded us that even the smallest piece of change could carry great meaning. It taught generations the value of saving, the math of commerce, and the joy of finding “a penny, heads up,” believed to bring good luck.

Though its purchasing power faded with time, the penny remained a cherished token in American life. It stood for thrift, tradition, and the simple idea that every cent counts — that small things still matter.

Now, as we turn the page, we say goodbye to this copper-colored companion. The world may be moving faster, transactions more digital, but the penny will always hold a place in our collective memory — not just as currency, but as culture. A reminder of days gone by, of simpler exchanges, and of a nation that once trusted even its smallest coin to carry great weight.

Farewell, old friend. You were never just one cent — you were sentiment.

What Happens to Existing Pennies?

• They will remain legal tender indefinitely.
• You can still spend, save, or deposit them at banks.
• Businesses are not required to accept them, but most will during the transition.

The penny’s retirement reflects a practical move toward efficiency in the modern economy — where the cost of production, minimal utility, and digital payment dominance make the coin increasingly obsolete. Yet it’s also a farewell to a piece of American life — one that jingled in our pockets and taught kids the value of every cent.