# Do you use pennies (USA one cent coin)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 26, 2025, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421 "2025-01-26T08:11:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/41 "2025-01-26T19:17:32Z")
I don’t usually leave the house with any change in my pocket, unless I know I’ll have a specific need for it (such as the $1.50 in quarters to park my car at the commuter train station). I do still sometimes use cash, typically for small purchases at convenience stores and carryout places; if I get pennies back in change, they wind up in my pocket, and if I make a subsequent purchase that day, and the pennies I’m carrying will make it so I don’t get _more_ pennies back in change, I’ll spend them as part of my payment. At the end of the day, any change that’s still in my pocket winds up in one of two cups on my dresser: one just for pennies, the other for nickels, dimes, and quarters. Once those get full, I take them to my bank, and cash them in. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/42 "2025-01-26T19:24:59Z")
Maybe the half penny, which was discontinued in 1857? Based on different sources for inflation rates since then, that coin was worth somewhere between $1.25 and $1.80. I’m not sure how relevant the comparison is as I don’t know how a half penny would have been used day to day. I agree with the sentiment, though. Get rid of all current coinage below the dollar, bring out new $2 and $5 coins, and get rid of paper money smaller than the $20. I don’t think that would compell me to start using cash again but it’d be a lot closer to reality. Eta: for the OP, when I get pennies, I tend to throw them out. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/43 "2025-01-26T19:25:33Z")
I use pennies, but at the end of the day if I have any in my pocket, I check to see if any are valuable. If not, I put 'em in a jar, and when that’s full, take 'em to the bank. I’m all for getting rid of them, and getting rid of the dollar bill too and using a $1 and $2 coin. I also endorse the idea of carrying 4 pennies around, just to prevent being loaded down with more pennies. I just don’t practice that. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/44 "2025-01-26T19:35:48Z")
I stick them in my fusebox in place of fuses. It saves money on fuses, and I never lose power due to a blown fuse. Win-win!   (Just kidding, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/45 "2025-01-26T20:13:41Z")
Not at all. Not a cashier. I was just wondering why 4 pennies. Seems like 5 would be better. If your bill is $7.05. Can’t plan for every eventuality, of course. The poster describes carrying 4 pennies but then needs 3. I don’t get it. ETA…somehow I’m understanding the wisdom carrying of 4 pennies, now. Hmm. Brain turns on some days. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/46 "2025-01-26T20:26:43Z")
Because they also have a nickel in case the bill is $7.05 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/47 "2025-01-26T20:31:38Z")
I get change every time I hit the drive-thru for breakfast (ie every work day morning.) I always pay cash and the change goes into a plastic cup on my console. Since there usually isn’t any line at that hour of the morning, I pay with exact change if easily done. The window people know my routine and are cool with it. I know because I’ve asked. The place is family-run, so they prefer cash so they don’t get hit with fees (for which they charge $.50/transaction.) If the cup gets too full I just dump it in the “Tip” bucket and start over. Or empty it into some kids hands if they are out selling lemonade on the street corner (Yes, that still happens on hot Summer days around here!) I’ll make sure the coins get back into circulation somehow. Don’t get me started on _carrying_ coins. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/48 "2025-01-26T20:51:38Z")
We pay cash at the supermarket self checkout, and pennies can help there. We also take our grandkids to [the Garfield Park Conservatory](https://garfieldconservatory.org) every New Years Day, and give them pennies to toss into the fountains. Yeah - it is likely time to retire Old Abe. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/49 "2025-01-26T21:05:06Z")
How will you tell when your car tires need to be replaced? ---
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/50 "2025-01-26T21:33:50Z")
The reason for carrying 4 pennies is because I don’t know what the final bill is going to be. It could be $17.76 or $17.77 or $17.78 or $17.79. By having four pennies I can cover any of these scenarios and not get any pennies back in change. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/51 "2025-01-26T21:38:36Z")
Generally, I leave behind my coin change- except maybe quarters, and of course the rare dollar coins. I do not carry any coins. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/52 "2025-01-26T22:06:22Z")
Parking with coins costs less than parking with credit card here. That’s quarters, not pennies, but does mean I have a few coins on hand. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/53 "2025-01-26T22:08:15Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > However, I discovered the best method of using those coins: I dump them in the self-checkout machine at the supermarket when I do my regular grocery shopping. Those machines take all coins, including pennies. Once I’ve dumped all the coins, I pay the remainder with a credit card. Great idea! I usually wait until I have enough to get an Amazon gift credit (face value, no fee) at a Coinstar machine, but the nearest one that does Amazon credit is now 30 minutes away. And it takes a long time nowadays to accumulate a sizeable amount of coins. So I’m using your method from now on. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/54 "2025-01-26T23:50:56Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I dump them in the self-checkout machine at the supermarket when I do my regular grocery shopping. Walmart self-checkout also has these types of machines. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/55 "2025-01-27T00:09:33Z")
Every day. I tend to pay cash for any small personal transactions, trying for exact change - coffee, snacks, etc. - my filling station has 5 cent gallon discount for cash on Saturdays - and I pick up pennies on the sidewalk\*. I’m bemused by the scatter of small change I see on the ground where the coffee-shop drive-thru window adjoins the street - about 50’ from where the guy with a cardboard sign is begging, but won’t pick up the change that others have simply dropped. \*and any other coin I see. I actually found $100 bill once! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/56 "2025-01-27T00:12:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Or empty it into some kids hands if they are out selling lemonade on the street corner I’d peek around the corner first. [![](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a2/24/c0/a224c034907967af63223900dc807918.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a2/24/c0/a224c034907967af63223900dc807918.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/57 "2025-01-27T01:15:25Z")
If I dumped change in that thing it would break immediately, then a\*\*hole behind me would start a ruckus. Yeah, these things would never work out for me. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/58 "2025-01-27T01:42:18Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > then a\*\*hole behind me would start a ruckus. That’s the difference between where you live and where I live. You live in a modern progressive place where people use the self-service lines. I live in a place where the one or two lines serviced by cashiers have long lines of customers while of the dozen or so self-service stations maybe a third have a customer at them–so there is no customer behind you at the self-service lines who would make a ruckus. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/59 "2025-01-27T01:48:22Z")
Never use pennies. Years ago I’d save them up and roll them once in a blue moon, now I just throw them in the trash. Keeping up with them is just more trouble than it’s worth, and they have next to zero monetary or numismatic value anymore. Maybe it seems wasteful, but it’s offset by the satisfaction of doing my part to fight inflation by reducing the supply of money. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421/60 "2025-01-27T01:49:20Z")
I wouldn’t call where I live as progressive, at all. The self checkouts that work(or are still there) opposed to the live checker lines is equal in crowd size and line length. And there are a slew of rednecks in Walmart all the time. Red state. Loud mouths. Uncouth minds. And ol’beck is keeping her head down. Don’t poke the lion, real or just in their imagination, it’s all the same ruckus. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-pennies-usa-one-cent-coin/1013421.md?page=4)