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. G 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. GThis has evolved to mean that although the American people make up a 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. G The penny, evolving over time, has adapted to fit the

changing ideals, history, and people in 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, would like to keep the

penny. G Obviously, the penny means more to the American people than the one cent value or the

vague face engraved on 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.