The Demise of Common Cents

Presenter: Caroline Turco

For more than two centuries, the humble one-cent coin has been a constant presence in American life – but does the cent still make sense today? After more than 200 years, the U.S. government has retired the iconic “penny.”

Join Money Museum Curator Caroline Turco in a lively and engaging presentation that explores the surprising story of America’s smallest denomination – from its British roots to its foundational role in the world’s first decimal monetary system. Along the way, we’ll tackle the bigger question: does the cent still make sense?