In 2001 United States Representative Jim Kolbe introduced legislation to Congress to eliminate the penny coin in most transactions. Even though this failed to happen, it’s still an ongoing debate whether or not to keep the penny as the smallest-denomination United States coin. 

In the article, “President Bush signs Lincoln Penny Redesign Into Law” by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission there is talk about how the penny deserves to stay. The author had stated, “Michael Bishop hailed the bill’s enactment as an important accomplishment for the Commission because ‘the penny is perhaps the most visible and tangible reminder of Lincoln’s significance in American history.’” This is showing that the penny is a type of symbolism for Abraham Lincoln and his birthday. Lincoln was an amazing 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He had led the nation through the American Civil War, the country’s greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. Having the penny is important because it helps people to remember Lincoln and what all he’s done for America. 

There was an independent poll taken by Americans to see about whether they believe the penny should be kept or not. In the responses from, “Abolish the Penny? A Majority of the Public Says ‘No.’” by The Harris Poll, most people have said they don’t want the penny to be abolished. There was 23% who said the penny should be abolished but 59% said it shouldn’t. This also left the 18% who said they weren’t sure and didn’t have a stance on the situation. There’s always the saying that majority rules which means in this care the penny shouldn’t be abolished. The American people voted towards this decision so it should be listened to. 

From many pictures you can see how much the penny has gone through. The penny has existed in society since the country’s earliest days. It is a symbol of our thrift and the nation’s past. 

There are many great symbols of the nation like the Washington monument, the White House and Mount Rushmore which are all guarded and watched over carefully. There is a great emphasis on them all based on their preservation needing to be shown and remembered.

All in all there are many reasons why the penny should be kept. The American people themselves voted to keep the penny which is who we need to listen to the most. Also, one of the most important presidents in history is shown on the penny which is needed to remember him. We can’t forget how much symbolism is in the penny that we can’t let go of. The penny deserves to stay.