National One Cent Day
What do Benjamin Franklin, the word mind your company, April 1st, and National One Cent Day have in common? The penny is the cent, which we recognize on National One Cent Day. The answer is simple: the penny is the penny.
In 1787, a private mint in the United States first issued a one-cent coin. Benjamin Franklin designed it. "Mind Your Company" reads on one side, while on the other "We Are One" says. This coin was made of 100% copper, was larger than today's penny, and became known as the Fugio cent.
The United States Mint was first established in 1792, but it wasn't until 1792 that it was first established. Collectors today recognize that the first coins struck by the newly established mint were called Chain cents, or Flowing Hair Chain Cents. A circle of 13 links of chain representing the 13 colonies was on one side of the coin. On the reverse, there was an image of a woman with flowing hair, otherwise known as Liberty.
In the 1850s, the one-cent coin was reduced in size to make the currency more affordable and easier to handle. The mint made the Flying Eagle cent with a wreath on the reverse side in 1856.
This coin was soon replaced with the Indian Head cent in 1859, which quickly became popular and remained in circulation for decades.
Today's one-cent coin is made of copper and zinc and has borne President Abraham Lincoln's image since 1909. The Lincoln Memorial from 1959 to 2008 featured the Lincoln Memorial from 1959 to 2008. In 2009, Lincoln's 200th birthday featured various scenes from his life, and the Union Shield, a permanent reverse, was introduced in 2010.
How to celebrate #nationalonecentday
- The penny's history is documented by study
- Save your cents. Over time, each penny saved accumulates
- Share your penny collection
- To post on social media, use #NationalOneCentDay
One cent FAQ
Is the United States the only country to have one cent currency? Q. Is the US the only country to have one cent currency?
A. No. A. No. A. No. One-cent coins are used in other countries. The United Kingdom, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and large parts of Europe have a one-cent coin that is equal to 1/10 of their equivalent dollar.
Is the US penny the lightest coin made by the US Mint? Q. Is it the right coin made by the US Mint?
A. No. A. No. A. No. At 2.268 grams, the dime is lighter. The US penny weighs in at 2.5 grams.
Q. Has the penny ever been made from copper and zinc?
A. No. A. No. A. No. The United States Mint struck pennies made from steel for one year during World War II. The mint used steel to mint "silver" pennies coated in zinc due to increased demand for copper in 1943.
