The penny, as of Feb. 4, has officially left the economic landscape of Canada and will only be around for as long as supplies last.
Memories of the penny and its limited use will likely linger for some time. It has been quite awhile since anything could be purchased for a mere penny, candy being the only thing that comes to mind, yet our pockets and change drawers seem to so easily accumulate the odd smelling copper pieces. Will we miss the added weight or even the smell?
With the demise of the penny, the price of ones thoughts will inevitably go up to a nickel, but it is a small price to pay for the hours it takes to painstakingly count and roll handfuls of coin to only be disappointed by the final tally.
With the disappearance of the penny, will our luck change for the worse? Or will we start to pocket lucky dimes or quarters? Is luck transferable to other currency? Will finding a nickel face-up be considered just as lucky?
We will no longer be able to pinch our pennies, but at least expensive items will no longer cost a pretty penny. However, without pennies, nobody can put in their two cents worth, that will now cost a nickel as well.
No longer will we be able to save a penny in order to earn one, and few people will have two pennies to rub together, but at least being hit by a penny skillfully snapped by annoying children will be behind us.
Gamblers will have to bring a bit more cash to the table as penny ante poker will be a thing of the past.
At least bad pennies will no longer show up to ruin an occasion.
Some may miss the penny, not as a currency, but as a common tool for the resourceful. The penny easily became a screwdriver at times as it easily fit inside wide slotted screws. They were great for opening the back of battery compartments. They have been used as spacers when laying tile. Pennies were particularly handy for stabilizing wobbly furniture or ornaments. Pennies were perfect for removing the coating off scratch off tickets.
Yes, we will miss the penny. Those little sayings and phrases associated with the least valuable coin will inspire confused looks from future generations, but finding a penny will be a real treat for them, inspiring one of those “back in the day” discussions as a flood of memories engulf the minds of those of us who remember using them.
