Jack F. asks:Â How many US pennies are in current circulation?
A few hundred billion. Between about 4 billion and 8 billion cents are struck each year and though most are sitting in “penny jars” they are primarily used for paying sales tax.
People seem to be frustrated by cents and even try to structure transactions so they can spend their cents. I hate when the bill comes to $5.06. That means I’m going to get four more cents if I forgot to bring at least six cents with me.
Last year I tried to give rolls of 50 cents out as trick or treat to the kids on Halloween. Some of the more assertive kids told me to take a hike and break out the candy or I was going to get the “trick” part of the ceremony. M & M’s and Mars Bars won the day.
