Data collected from Coinstar, whose coin-counting kiosks are used around the world, found there would be significant Mint cost increases without the US penny. Coinstar looked at their experience in Canada where the penny was eliminated in 2013 and found reduced “velocity” or frequency of coin recirculation. Two-thirds of all coins recirculated through the U.S. Read more about Canada Costs to Produce Coins Increases Without the Penny[…]

A collapse in metals prices means U.S. coins, including the penny, are less expensive to make. The penny has reached its lowest cost in seven years. Each 1-cent coin, made almost entirely of zinc, now costs the taxpayer much less to produce and its likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. With global demand Read more about Collapse of the zinc market means the penny is cheaper to make; saves taxpayers![…]

Recent Poll Shows Increasing Penny Support and Concern About Price Increases If Penny Is Eliminated WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A poll released today by Americans for Common Cents (ACC) continues to show overwhelming and increasing support for the penny by the American public. 68% of those surveyed favor keeping the penny in circulation, representing a slight increase since Read more about More than Two-Thirds of Americans Still Favor Keeping the Penny[…]

Information Collection on Public’s View of Circulating Coins ACC responded this week to the U.S. Mint’s plan to use opinion surveys and focus group interviews to solicit the public’s views on the nation’s circulating coins. The Mint request for public comment is geared to provide information for inclusion in the Mint’s anticipated December 2014 Report Read more about ACC Responds to Mint Request for Comments[…]

A Closer Look at Costs Associated with Making Change Does time spent at the cash register really “cost” the economy millions of dollars? Are retail workers actually paid according to their productivity?  The answer to both questions is a resounding “No” according to Americans for Common Cents (ACC) Executive Director, Mark Weller. Both arguments about Read more about Pennies at the Cash Register[…]

It’s ironic that on the eve of President’s Day weekend President Obama said he would support eliminating the penny. “Such a move would remove the image of one of our great presidents, Abraham Lincoln, from public view in our circulating coinage and harm consumers,” said Americans for Common Cents Executive Director Mark Weller. President Obama Read more about Obama Misses Economic Benefits of Penny in President’s Day Remarks[…]

Canada’s decision to cease distributing pennies on February 5 doesn’t portend the end of the cent in America. There are several reasons why the US won’t follow Canada’s example any time soon according to Mark Weller, Executive Director of Americans for Common Cents. Weller cited three reasons why Canada’s decision to stop producing the penny Read more about US Penny Support Remains Strong Despite Canada’s Decision to End Penny Distribution Significant Differences Exist in the United States[…]

Americans for Common Cents (ACC) Executive Director Mark Weller promoted the value of the one-cent coin and discussed alternative metals for circulating coins in testimony before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, on November 29, 2012.  In a panel that included former Mint Director Phil Diehl and former OMB Director Read more about 2012 Statement by Mark Weller on Future of Money: Dollars and Sense before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology[…]