Cent or Penny?

As we all know, the denomination that constitutes 1/100th of a US Dollar is called the cent. It has been called the cent since it was first produced over 200 years ago. However, many people in this country, in fact possibly the majority, call it the "penny." The "penny" is not an American denomination or American coin, yet it is a common nickname for the cent and likely comes from the British coin that bears that name.

Now, for most US citizens...they don't care. Cent and penny can be used interchangeably. However, this is a major sticking point for a lot of coin collectors. I have seen on this forum many times members comment on the misuse of the word "penny" and sometimes almost snap at people for using it because they feel that only the technical term "cent" is proper and should be used.

So, I would like to know what you think about this topic. It seems to be an old debate about proper use of words. Are nicknames appropriate for coins or should we always be technically correct?

For me, I find either acceptable in conversation. I wouldn't want to see a published source use the word "penny" when talking about a cent. But, in conversation (in both person and online) I feel either is acceptable provided the context is clear.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I use Cent but am not in the least offended by those who use Penny. Our hobby is full of mis-usages that no one really cares about. The "Indian Head" Cent is really a Liberty Head, the "Buffalo" Nickel is really an Indian Head Nickel, the "Mercury" Dime is really a Winged Liberty Head Dime, etc.

We all know what we're talking about, even when the wrong official wording is used, and life goes on.

 

"Cent" is a legal term defined within the laws of our nation. The use of the term "penny" only shows ignorance, in my opinion, especially when used by any person who is professionally in any financial related industry. This ignorance is further exemplified by the use of the term "five cents" for a "nickel", "ten cents" for a "dime", and "twenty-five cents" for a quarter dollar.

The fact that people use the term "penny" for a one cent coin, but term the value of nickel, et al., in "cents" is ignorance. Penny denotes the value of one penny. A nickel, being the value of five "pennies" should thus be termed a "five pence" coin, not a "five cents" coin. If you're going to term your coinage in terms of a penny, use pence. If you are going to term your coinage in terms of a mil monetary system, then term your 1/100 coin as a "cent", not a "penny".

Even the fact that legislators or mint representatives utilize the term "penny" when referring to the one cent coin only further shows our society's ignorance of the monetary system. As numismatists, we should utilize proper nomenclature for coins, both in our profession as well as in general conversation.

You certainly would not let somebody believe that a cleaned and polished coin is in anyway a "high grade MS". You would educate them. You would not allow them to remain in ignorance of the fact that a harshly clean, highly polished coin is in any way an investment item. In the same way, why would you want people to remain in ignorance about their own nation's coinage?

You wouldn't call our dollar a kwacha, would you? You wouldn't call a Kennedy half a medio peso, would you? You wouldn't call a quarter a 25 grosce, would you? Then why would you term your cent as a denomination of the British Empire? It just does not make sense, and only shows ignorance of the monetary system as a whole.

 

Cent, always.

I am not British.

[and I am sure that the Brits are glad about that.]

 

educate everyone you can

When I am talking with a US citizen, I will deliberately use the word "penny" and then immediately inform them why I shouldn't have called it a penny.

Very best regards,
collect89

 

I used to mentally twitch whenever someone said "penny", but you get over these things pretty fast when your friends roll their eyes at you when you correct them = P I occasionally slip up, too, and say penny, and then I throw myself down the stairs.

JK. I prefer cent, but saying penny is no biggie = )

-Peter

 

I use the term penny a lot to push the buttons of the anal retentive that think what it is called in casual conversation is the least bit important. We all know what a person means when they say penny...

To me it doesnt matter at all, I know what they are referring to. I have never understood why it ticks people off so much. I dont mind people calling the Bison a Buffalo either when referring to what is on the 5 cent coin (or nickel). There are a million instances I could relate of people calling something by a name that is not technically right...I bet the people spouting off ignorant this and that are probably guilty of calling something by the wrong technical name and using a colloquial term...in the end we know what they meant so why nitpick.

An adult female who has had one or two calves is called a cow. A young female before she has had a calf of her own is called a heifer...I bet we all just call them cows...

 

I always say a

 

Well, I suppose when in a numismatic conversation, I always use the proper term of cents, unless I mean pennies when referring to other than US coinage. But, when just talking normally, it's easier to just say pennies and not confuse any non-coin loving people with proper etiquite and lingo.
Guy~

 

This is exactly how I feel and it has always bugged me to open a thread of someone asking what the grade of this "penny" is and find a Indian Head Cent. Typically it's a newer member and when you read the responses it seems that there are more commenting on the use of the word "penny" rather than the question itself. IMHO, it is just fine to use the word "penny" in causal conversation like this and it isn't perpetuating ignorance. Now, I would be shocked if it was used in published literature, but casually...I don't see a problem at all.

 

Well, I don't really care. If a friend says they found a 1914-D penny and do I want it, I sure won't launch into a lecture on the cent. Give me that penny!! :hail:

It does bother me when someone new to the forum asks about a penny and gets jumped into the cent gang. I think it should be forum friendship to limit criticism of newbies language or questions for at least 10 or 20 posts. For some it may be a second language and they don't even have separate words for cent and/or penny.

Often I hear 5 centavos here more than 5 cents or nickel

Jim

 

I always use the word cent both here in the forum and in person to person conversation. If someone would say to me "Hey indianhead, do you want to look through my jar of pennies?" I would know what they mean but I kind of laugh to myself when someone refers to the U.S. cent as a penny.

 

I actually meant to include that in my first post: http://usmint.gov/mint_programs/circulatingCoins/index.cfm?action=CircPenny

 

That is my way of thinking too. But if I'm talking to a non-collector I try to say penny to keep from confusing them. I have to make a concious effort to do that though because to me its definitely a cent. Brits use the penny, not us, lol.

 

Let's just suppose for a moment that the terms are interchangable. Hmmm......

Beatle's song: Cent Lane
Laverne and Shirley actress: Cent Marshall
Department store: JC Cent
Popular song and Bing Crosby film: Cents from Heaven
Rapper: 50 Penny

 

My father used to say, "Don't sweat the small stuff". Then he would add , "And most of it is small stuff." People come to this site with all sorts of backgrounds...some are becoming serious collectors and therefore terminology will be important to them.. some are just trying to find out what they got handed down and never will worry about being precise. I have seen people get "jumped" in the second or third post for using the word penny -- What a welcoming post... that makes them feel like staying. People are constantly saying to the new folks, "hope to see you around... hope you will participate" but then some feel that they have to get on their high horse and start correcting the newbie. Just unnecessary and, in my opinion, the output of an insecure person. JD and others, who obviously know a lot more than many of us, self included, are very willing to help people learn, and show a lot of respect for the inexperienced. I, for one, want to know the precise terms so that I can represent my coins properly, and can ensure that when I am in the market for a coin, whether expensive or not, I am in the best position to let the seller know that I am serious and know what I am looking for. Sometimes, terminology helps in this case. I would not ding someone for using an imprecise, albeit common, term, as I find it very pedantic. Rant over. :bigeyes:

 

I agree with your comments 100%. Very well said.

 

I think you all know my opinion by now, but if not, "penny" is an improper term, and therefore an insult to numismatics. A coin should be referred to as what the denomination on the reverse says it is. For example, "penny" should be small one cent piece, "nickel" should be five cent piece etc.

 

What about the dime?