I want my new penny. Where's my new penny?
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Family Money, Shopping
The U.S. Mint rolled out a new Lincoln-themed penny over a month ago. But I still have not seen any. At first I was asking clerks in stores "Got any of the new pennies?" I quickly discovered that nobody had any idea that the Mint was rolling out four new designs for the penny this year and gave up on that tactic.
My enthusiasm isn't really for the designs; the Mint seemed more interested in appeasing the various states that lay claim to Lincoln than in designing coins.
This first design came out on February 12, celebrating Lincoln's 200th birthday. It's of a log cabin in Kentucky. The coins don't get any better from here. Next up is one of young Lincoln, where he looks like Johnny Cash as a lumberjack in Indiana. Illinois, my home state and Land of Lincoln, gets in there next with lawyer Lincoln near the statehouse, which looks a little too much like the current tails to my liking. Finally there's the the Capitol dome under construction, which looks even more like the current backside.
Apparently I'm not alone in looking for and not finding the coins. The new pennies are rolling out very slowly, the Chattanooga Free Times Press reports via MSNBC. That's caused people to buy and sell them on eBay, where they seem to be selling for between $2 for a single coin to $450 for $25 worth of uncirculated coins. Despite the Mint, I think a lot us want to see the new penny.
Apparently I'm not alone in looking for and not finding the coins. The new pennies are rolling out very slowly, the Chattanooga Free Times Press reports via MSNBC. That's caused people to buy and sell them on eBay, where they seem to be selling for between $2 for a single coin to $450 for $25 worth of uncirculated coins. Despite the Mint, I think a lot us want to see the new penny.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3-17-2009 @ 8:21AM
hagerkdl92 said...
What new penny? Never heard their was one being made.
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3-17-2009 @ 8:28AM
Melinda said...
At least some folks can get the new pennies. There are some banks that can't get them at all because the Reserve say they have too many of the old ones. Now that stinks. Most banks in New England can't get them and there are some banks in Arkansas that can't get them. Now what's wrong with that picture? Seems like all the banks could get the new pennies but like I said they can't.
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3-17-2009 @ 8:48AM
Master Shake said...
I see they abandoned the proposed design with Lincoln and the black slave released from his chains. Who would that have offended?
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3-17-2009 @ 10:58AM
hezakiah4 said...
The brain dead idiots in the Klan? LOL
3-17-2009 @ 9:01AM
Roger Pyle said...
I have been asking banks all around my area - at least five - and they say they can't even order them, don't know when they may be arriving, if ever. Why even mint them if there is no demand? If the economy is so bad that vaults are packed with old pennies/nickels, etc., why should we (the taxpayers) foot the bill to make more?
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3-17-2009 @ 4:13PM
Warren L. Hafer said...
Why mint something that costs more to make than it's worth ?? Ever since I was a kid (well over 50 years now), I kept hearing that they are going to do away with the penny. How much is this latest change costing to produce? I've been a coin collector for over 45 yr. now but it gets to a point of economics and common sense. If it costs more to make than it's worth, then why spend thousands and thousands more, to change it? Even the nickle now costs more to make than it's worth, something, somewhere is wrong with who has the final say in how things are done!
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3-17-2009 @ 10:31AM
Joe said...
I am a coin collector. The new Lincoln penny is available through the US Mint in rolls.
There are 50 pennies to a roll, and the mint is selling them 2 rolls (P&D) for $8.95 plus $5.95 shipping. Pretty expensive and greedy.
And none of the banks in Dela have any and they don't know when or if they will receive any.
Just another con job and waste of our money to mint something that costs more in metals than it is worth.
The same thing for this years $1 coin. They don't know.
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3-26-2009 @ 1:14AM
mike said...
And they say they arent making money off them!
3-17-2009 @ 11:24AM
T said...
I work at a bank and we can't order them. We were told if customers request them they need to call 1-800-usa-mint to order them. Not sure why they won't let us order them. I guess because they are selling them at a premium price to the public.
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3-17-2009 @ 10:47AM
Don said...
WHAT IS MISSING ON THE NEW PENNY????
"ITS STARTING FOLKS !!"
"IN GOD WE TRUST" SECULARIZING OUR COUNTRY WILL
NOT BENEFIT OUR NATION. GET OVERR IT!!
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3-17-2009 @ 12:01PM
B said...
Calm down.
The new pennies have "In God We Trust" on the obverse (front) just like Lincoln pennies always have.
3-17-2009 @ 10:53AM
robtheblogger6 said...
It's time to get rid of the damn penny. They're a pain in the ass and worthless these days
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3-17-2009 @ 10:56AM
Mike said...
Looks like the Uni-bombers house.
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3-17-2009 @ 11:19AM
pat said...
Melinda, I liove in New England and have neither sen nor heard of the new penny.
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3-17-2009 @ 11:34AM
sandra said...
why do we even bother with pennies anymore? it probably costs way more to make them then they are worth. i just throw mine away or leave them on the counter. i can afford to round up to a nickel.
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3-22-2009 @ 9:43PM
elena said...
your comment was just plain dumb do people even see what they type if you leave it at the counter or throw it away then know you cant save or round up to 5 cents try saving every single cent in an old jar and when it fills up donate it or buy something nice and stop being silly. that goes for every one
3-17-2009 @ 8:14PM
Stephanie said...
you will not find pennies at banks. you will have to buy them online. they are not circulating them. this is something that the mint is doing and i work for a bank and our person that brings us the money and tells us about what the mint/fed is up to told us that they will not be shipping out pennies to banks. if you want them you have to order them online somewhere and they actually come out of San Fransico i think he said. i agree its dumb to make pennies because they are worth nothing anymore and it certainly costs more to make pennies.
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3-17-2009 @ 12:18PM
Mint-Flavored Coins said...
The mint is in no hurry to manufacture enough pennies for everyone, using copper that is more costly than the face value of the coin.
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3-17-2009 @ 12:44PM
Darryl Elliott said...
The 2009 Lincoln Penny can now be Purchased from the U.S.Mint
2 Rolls Sets P&D $8.95 per set www.usmint.com
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3-17-2009 @ 12:44PM
Rick said...
What is going on here-where is "In God We Trust". Of all our President's, Lincoln would have been very ticked. He was historicaly known to be a Christian. He stated it both publicly and in his diaries. Enough already! I wouldn't own one them if it were free. In fact, this coin is as un-American as they come. Its worthless and shame on our government!
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