Kill-the-penny bill introduced -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citing spiraling zinc costs, Rep. Jim Kolbe continues his quest to eliminate the 1-cent piece. By Christian Zappone, CNNMoney.com staff writer July 18 2006: 2:19 PM EDT http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/18/news/penny/index.htm?cnn=yes NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Representative Jim Kolbe wants to do away with the penny - and for a second time has introduced legislation that would effectively kill it. The Currency Overhaul for an Industrious Nation (COIN) Act would force the rounding off of all cash transactions to the nearest 5 cents, making the penny coin useless for everyday transactions. The move is in part a reaction to the rising cost of zinc - the penny's main ingredient - which at current prices brings the cost of making the coin to 1.4 cents each.
