Everyday, you hear the jingle and clatter of the symbolism and

representation of the greatest abolitionist in United States history merely in the

form of four cents in your pocket. Everyday, you are burdened by, yet somehow

appreciate of, the cent you save because the roll of paper towels was $1.99, rather

than $2.00. Everyday, you are appreciative of the Give One, Take One penny

receptacle at the gas station counter; someone was kind enough you give you their

loose change and make your transaction that much easier. Everyday, you pull a

copper coin from your pocket and call heads or tails to make lifes decisions so

much easier. Everyday, a penny is used to pry open a lid, or to drill in a screw, or to

scratch a lottery ticket. Although some believe that the penny is of a miniscule

monetary value and that it is not necessary in its capacity, in reality, the penny is

truly vital to the American way of life because of the immense symbolism for the

common man that it maintains and the necessary coin value it holds in the

economy, making it obviously unwise to discontinue its circulation.

Despite arguments against the significance of this little round piece of

copper, the symbolism of this miniscule coin as a remembrance of the great man

that shaped our country as a Union translates to the representation of the smallest

denomination as it represents and exemplifies the plight of the American Dream,

the idea that anyone can rise to the top from the bottom. Across the expanse of

American history, few people have come close to the caliber of patriotism and

symbolism of Abraham Lincoln. He exemplifies the fight for even the poorest; those

who most often require use of small denomination. A mere visual examination of

todays penny leads us to form many conclusions (Source G). The symbolism of

Honest Abe Lincoln directs the consumer to the representation of Lincoln and the

fight for abolishment of slavery in the United States, a core value and instrument of
unification for modern America, derived from the deadliest war in American history

and the reestablishment and reconciliation that came with it. The penny features

Lincolns silhouette along with the term E pluribus unum; of all, one. This has

evolved to mean that although the American people make up diverse and different

citizens, we must always fight together for equality and justice, a key component of

the purposeful inclusion of symbolism on the penny. The penny, as it has evolved

over time, has adapted to fit the changing ideals, history, and people of our nation.

With the introduction of civil rights leaders and other influential individuals, the

national mint felt it necessary to change the design to remember key elements of

past events, in tandem with the introduction of Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony.

Furthermore, the majority of individuals, polled by a reliable source, stated that they

were in favor of keeping the penny in circulation, for reasons unaccounted for

(Source E). Inherently, the penny has grown to become a piece of American life and

a representation of the history at hand in our nation. Even if the polling unveiled

that the majority of the population moves to keep the penny within our midst for

reasons beside the representation it holds, the population, nonetheless as a

majority, would like to keep the penny. Obviously, the penny means more to the

American people than the one cent value or the vague face engraved upon the

front, and is more of a reminder of our unity and equality.

Throughout our history of the United States, we have seen remarkable people such

as Abraham Lincoln become amazing representations of patriotism and fairness and

have deserved a spot on the penny. Civil rights leaders and women suffragettes

have followed in his footsteps, making the United States of America the fair and just

country it is to this day. Similarly, the penny has become a staple in the lives of our

lower classes as the smallest denomination and a symbol for populism and equality.
Without the penny in our nations circulation, we would be truly missing a large

factor of the United States history and the symbolic representation of an influential

president and the American dream.