Americans for Common Cents

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The Penny & You

Support for the Penny

TWO-THIRDS (66%) OF AMERICANS CHOOSE TO KEEP THE PENNY

Should the nation abandon the penny and adopt a system rounding prices to the nickel?

The answer is "no." National polling over the past decade has consistently shown that between two-thirds and three-fourths of Americans support keeping the cent in circulation. A Gallup Organization poll in 1990 and Opinion Research Corporation surveys conducted in 1995, 1996, and 2001 show Americans are persuaded by several factors, such as antipathy toward price rounding.

The importance of preserving the penny goes well beyond high public acceptance and historical significance. More recently, a February 2006 Coinstar National Currency Poll found that two-thirds of Americans want to keep the penny as legal tender. According to Coinstar, 66% of Americans still want to keep the penny as legal tender, virtually the same percentage (65%) as in 2001. Other findings included:

84% of females and 74% of males would still pick up a penny off the ground
73% of females and 58% of males want to keep the penny
33% of males and 22% females do not value loose change or keep track of it
While more Americans own Piggy banks than in 2002 (67% versus 56%), less are now using them for penny accumulation (57% versus 87%)
Only 27% of Americans want to eliminate the penny, virtually the same level as in 2001 (26%)
To date, Abraham Lincoln is the most favorite president featured on U.S. Currency, just beating George Washington 28% to 25% (from 2004 Coinstar National Currency Poll)

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How To Contact Us

Americans for Common Cents
1301 K Street NW
Suite 600, East Tower
Washington, D.C. 20005-3364
Phone (800) 561-7909
Fax (202) 408-6399
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Lincoln In His Own Words

It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him. - Abraham Lincoln

News from the US Mint

New 2009 Penny Designs

The Mint will issue different one-cent coins in 2009, in recognition of the 200th Anniversary of President Lincoln's birth

Lincoln Bicentennial

In celebration of Abraham Lincoln's upcoming birthday bicentennial in 2009, the United States Mint plans to issue four new versions of the penny, to be released on a rotating basis.

More information about the Lincoln Bicentennial is available here.

Penny Fundraising

Many corporations, national charities, schools, and local philanthropies have realized the worth of the penny. Through the use of point-of-sale collections and competitive penny fundraisers, these groups have turned thousands of idle pennies into real dollars for everything from college scholarships to housing for the homeless. These fundraisers clearly demonstrate the true value of the penny.

More information is available here

Our Kids Making a Difference With Pennies

How To Conduct a Penny Fundraising Drive

Penny Fundraising Handbook is available here

Penny Power Poster is available here