This is getting into semantics but the word "correct" means that it is properly called a "CENT". But there's no question in my mind that more people use the term "penny" than use "cent". So the key is "communication". Do I know what you mean when you say "penny"? 99% of the time the answer is "yes".
I went into a coin shop for the first time last summer. The proprietor was very nice and helpful, and let me look at everything at my leisure. He answered my simple, newbie questions very patiently, kindly. As we passed by the 'cents', and I said something about a penny, he kindly, patiently, gently corrected me. And then I got a history lesson on the reason for calling those little coins 'cents'. Not pennies. He made me promise to use the correct word, gave me the reason (all tied up in history), and was very very serious about it. So, I guess he was really trying to make sure that I 'got it'! So, on a paper test the answer for me would be 'cent'. But at the corner store, I sure won't take a marker and change the little bowl..'take a penny, leave a penny' to 'take a red cent, leave a red cent' ( I do peek at them though!) Lucy
If we are being technical It is a cent. Unless it will make a difference in my family or my life or have some adverse reaction then I really don't care, because its the beauty of what we are seeing not the same.. Like others have stated this is a useless debate and will cause many arguements and will not have resolved the actual issue at hand. if we are going to be technical with the word cent then we must be technical to do that with all the U.S. or we would be hypocrites.
I believe that the technical (numismatic) term is cent, but the general public most commonly refers to it as a penny. When my son and I do role searching, we receive a $25 box of "pennies" from the bank. It says "$25 pennies" right on the box. TC
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that started with their decimalization. At that point their old penny stopped since it was a complete remake of their coinage system. I would not doubt they changed abbreviations, since it it no longer a penny, but a pence. I could be wrong but that was my understanding of it, but I am not a huge British collector. Chris
Every coin reference book I have seen referencing US Coins calls it the cent but other countries penny is the proper term. Penny is an older term carried over from England. Penny doesn't mean 1/100 cent does.
It really doesn't matter to me what you call them. My grandfather called them "copper's" and everybody knew what he was talking about and nobody corrected him.
I agree with this, in that the key is communicating. The English language has many words that sound the same when spoken but have very different meanings. In writing, there's no doubt about what you mean when you write "cents". However, say I'm walking down a sidewalk behind a good looking lady and I see her unknowingly drop a coin. I pick it up and want to return it to her. According to you sticklers for only using the word cents, I have to tell her, "excuse me miss, I picked up your cent"
I am an old redneck, and I believe proper English is when I talk and you understand what I said it must be proper. So a penny and a cent are the same thing. The use of their terms are 99% used in different parts of the country. It depends on where you are. Big Ed
Penny, cent, copper, 10 mil piece. Doesn't matter to me. I guess historically a half penny was close to the value of a cent, but that apparently didn't matter.
I like this, walking along, a gal drops lots of cents "Ma'am, Ma'am! You've lost your cents!" I'm sure that would be well received.
It doesn't matter at least that's what I voted for. In my early days of joining this forum I got verbally beat down for using the word penny, can you imagine? There's bigger fish to fry people. :rollling:That said, I use cent now cause it's just not worth the aggravation.
This reminds me of an Ebay listing I put up recently. I titled it [h=1]"1922-D Lincoln Cent Wheat Penny"[/h]I had no idea what was the proper verbiage but it generated plenty of views.
To answer my own question, I prefer Penny. My reasoning is twofold - first, Just as the five-cent coin (value) coin is called a nickel (name), the one-cent coin (value) is called a penny (name), and second, the manufacturer, the US Mint, calls the coin a Penny. Just because the coin says ONE CENT on it doesn't mean it should be called that, just as the FIVE CENTS on a nickel doesn't name it that. Having said all that, I really don't care what it is called and I'll never chastise someone for calling it one name or the other. Regardless of what it's called, we all know what it is. Arguing the point is silly.
