Goodbye Penny

Goodbye Penny explores the American one cent coin as a symbol woven through the nation's history, economy, and identity. James Davis traces the penny's origins from the chaotic world of colonial currency to the creation of the U.S. Mint and the cent's role in shaping everyday commerce. The book follows the penny through wars, depressions, cultural shifts, and redesigns, showing how this tiny coin became both an economic tool and a cultural touchstone. Davis examines debates over its usefulness, the rising cost of minting it, and the emotional weight it carries in childhood memories, charity, and national symbolism. Blending history, economics, and storytelling, Goodbye Penny offers a thoughtful farewell to an American icon whose value extends far beyond its face.