Genevieve sits down with her father, numismatist Larry Hoefer, in front of the Abraham Lincoln exhibit to trace the rise and fall of the American penny. They explore colonial coinage, foreign influences, funeral‑related artifacts, and why the cent’s long story is quietly coming to an end.

Five Key Takeaways

1. The U.S. cent was created as a break from the British penny and grew alongside early continental currency.

2. American coinage design drew on British, Spanish, and Roman influences, including Lady Liberty and laurel wreaths.

3. No living person can legally appear on United States coinage, which shaped the use of symbols and deceased presidents.

4. Obsolete denominations such as the half cent and two‑cent piece reveal how people once made everyday change.

5. Coins connect directly to death and remembrance, from Roman coins on the eyes of the dead to exhibits at the National Museum of Funeral History.

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