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Quiz about A Penny Earned
Quiz about A Penny Earned

...A Penny Earned Trivia Quiz


This is a quiz about the humble one cent coin, or penny. It may not be worth much, but it has a fascinating history.

A multiple-choice quiz by daver852. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
daver852
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
320,240
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
562
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Question 1 of 10
1. The official name is "cent," but everyone calls it a penny. The word "penny" has its origins in which language? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The first American pennies were produced in the late 1700s. They were big, bulky coins, and were expensive and difficult to produce. When did the mint decide to reduce the penny to its present size? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The US penny has undergone a lot of changes in its history, but since 1909 the same president has appeared on the obverse (or heads) side of the coin. Who is he? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In 1943, the mint started making pennies out of steel coated with zinc. This lasted for only one year. Why did the mint make this change? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. People didn't like the steel pennies, so in 1944 the mint began making them out of something else. What was it? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Another significant change to the penny occurred in 1982. Beginning that year, pennies contain 97.5% of which metal? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. If the IRS claims you owe $1000 in back income taxes, you can legally pay them with 100,000 pennies.


Question 8 of 10
8. Penny isn't only a coin; it's also girl's name. In 2009, where did Penny rank as a girl's name in popularity? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The word "penny" also figures into many common English idioms. For example, "in for a penny, in for a pound." What word completes the following phrase: "A penny for your ____?" Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Who is given credit for the maxim: "A penny saved is a penny earned?" Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The official name is "cent," but everyone calls it a penny. The word "penny" has its origins in which language?

Answer: German

The word "penny" is derived from the the German word "pfennig." The denarius was a silver coin, a bit larger than a dime, that was used in the Roman Empire for almost 500 years. This is the coin called a "penny" in the Bible. Before Britain changed to decimal coinage, the abbreviation for pennies, or pence, was "d."
2. The first American pennies were produced in the late 1700s. They were big, bulky coins, and were expensive and difficult to produce. When did the mint decide to reduce the penny to its present size?

Answer: 1856

The first pennies - now known as "large cents" - were nearly as big as a half dollar. In 1856 the mint decided to reduce the size of the penny to what we know today. The first "modern" pennies had an eagle in flight on the reverse, and are known as "Flying Eagle" cents.

These pennies were made from an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel, giving them a whitish appearance. In 1859, the Indian Head penny was introduced, and in 1860, the alloy to make pennies was changed from the nickel alloy to bronze.
3. The US penny has undergone a lot of changes in its history, but since 1909 the same president has appeared on the obverse (or heads) side of the coin. Who is he?

Answer: Lincoln

Lincoln pennies were first minted in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Old Abe has stuck around ever since. The first Lincoln pennies had two ears of wheat on the reverse, and are called "Wheaties" by collectors. In 1959, the reverse was changed to show the Lincoln Memorial.

In 2009, the mint issued four special reverse designs to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. In 2010, the reverse will be changed yet again, to a shield bearing the motto "E Pluribus Unum."
4. In 1943, the mint started making pennies out of steel coated with zinc. This lasted for only one year. Why did the mint make this change?

Answer: Copper was needed for World War II

Copper was in short supply and was needed for the war effort. In addition to the penny, the mint also changed the alloy used to make nickels during the war. But the steel pennies were very unpopular. When new, they could easily be mistaken for a dime. As they circulated, they rusted quickly. These steel pennies were produced for only one year.

A few 1942 planchets (blanks) were left in the hopper at the mint when penny production began in 1943, so there are a few bronze pennies dated 1943. These are very rare, and sell for thousands of dollars. But if you find one, don't get your hopes up. Most finds are actually steel pennies some practical joker has plated with copper. Test it with a magnet; if it sticks to the magnet, it's worthless.
5. People didn't like the steel pennies, so in 1944 the mint began making them out of something else. What was it?

Answer: Used shell casings

The shell casings were made of brass, not bronze, so they looked a little different from the pre-war pennies. The mint continued to produce these "Shell Case" pennies through 1946, and then went back to using bronze.
6. Another significant change to the penny occurred in 1982. Beginning that year, pennies contain 97.5% of which metal?

Answer: Zinc

By 1982, the price of copper had risen to the point where the penny contained more than a penny's worth of the metal. It was decided to begin making pennies out of a copper plated zinc core. The mint produced both bronze and zinc cents in 1982, but since 1983, all pennies contain 97.5% zinc, with a 2.5% coating of pure copper.

It's fairly easy to tell a zinc cent from a bronze cent, even without looking at the date. They sound different when dropped on a hard surface; in addition, the zinc cents are lighter. A roll of 50 zinc pennies weighs about 4.4 ounces; a roll of bronze pennies weighs 5.5 ounces.

Zinc pennies can cause serious problems if swallowed. They are especially dangerous to dogs. If your pet swallows a penny, you should take it to the vet immediately.

By the way, while pre-1982 pennies (and all nickels) contain metal worth more than their face value, it's illegal to melt them down or export them in large quantities.
7. If the IRS claims you owe $1000 in back income taxes, you can legally pay them with 100,000 pennies.

Answer: True

Despite what some websites will tell you, pennies are "legal tender for all debts, public and private." Businesses don't have to accept pennies (or any other form of payment) if they find it inconvenient to do so, but the government must.

This wasn't always the case. But the "United States Coinage Act of 1965" established the lowly penny as legal tender.
8. Penny isn't only a coin; it's also girl's name. In 2009, where did Penny rank as a girl's name in popularity?

Answer: 726th

Penny is the 726th most popular girl's name in the United States in 2009, according to babycenter.com. The name is a diminutive of the Greek name Penelope. Some famous Pennys include Penny Singleton (actress), Penny Marshall (actress and director), and Penny Pritzker (business executive).
9. The word "penny" also figures into many common English idioms. For example, "in for a penny, in for a pound." What word completes the following phrase: "A penny for your ____?"

Answer: Thoughts

Other phrases include "penny wise, pound foolish;" "pennies from Heaven;" and "spend a penny." The latter is a British euphemism for going to the toilet!
10. Who is given credit for the maxim: "A penny saved is a penny earned?"

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Although the phrase "a penny saved is a penny earned," is usually attributed to Franklin, he didn't originate it. In the 1737 edition of "Poor Richard's Almanack," he wrote: "A penny saved is twopence clear." But the sentiment predates him by almost 100 years.

It first appears in George Herbert's "Proverbs," published in 1640. It also appears in Edward Ravenscroft's play, "The Canterbury Guests," (1695). Herbert says "a penny saved is twice got," and Ravenscroft writes "a penny saved is a penny got."
Source: Author daver852

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Leau before going online.
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