Penny Coin Dbq

Over the past few years, the debate on whether or not the penny should remain a part of the U.S. currency system has increased in popularity. With many politicians, journalists, and everyday citizens giving their opinion, the topic has certainly caused controversy. Although many would suggest otherwise, the penny coin is a historically and monetarily valuable aspect of American culture that should remain intact.
Pennies hold significance in retaining American history. It had been the first coin to "[depict] a real historical figure rather than the allegorical 'Liberty' figures or the more generic 'Indian head'" (Source F). The depiction of an American hero on a coin for the first time makes the penny incredibly valuable in regards to it's contribution to U.S. history. It established a sense of identity throughout the nation; instead of having figures that are fictional or not directly tied to American achievements, a leader who developed and progressed the nation is honored. The coin was also made to contain aspects that were significant to the United States as shown in Source G. This also established identity by
The penny is seen as time consuming, annoying, and useless because of the time spent in lines as someone rummages through their wallet to find all their pennies, the wasted space in pockets and on top of desk drawers, and the fact that they are not valued as much as other coins. Although these arguments are plausible, they would not justify the penny coin being expunged. Fishing for pennies in the grocery store line only requires a few seconds, they do not take up more than a few square inches at most, and the worth of the penny depends solely on the person who is in possession of it. Ridding the U.S. economy of the penny to speed up a cash transaction and empty up a few inches of space would be naïve, especially considering it's historical and cultural