Cent or Penny?

smprfi

We all collect coins and know it is a cent.I know penny is a term that has been used for decades, but why do we continue to use this term knowing all good and well it is a cent?

Loki

Now this thread makes a lot of "cents".

Dog97

Look at my sig; Grinnin Pennie sounds cool but Grinnin Cent don't.

stujoe

I use 'cent' when talking about numismatic coins that have some value to them. I use 'penny' when I am talking about those little, token-like things that are seen in those 'give a penny, take a penny' cups next to cash register.

Gemini

Smprfi don't be so picayune (only kidding)
The Spanish half-real (the picayune) that circulated in some of our Southern States in earlier days has also crept into and become part of our everyday language.
Picayune has now come to mean something small petty or insignificant.

The word penny has also been accepted by its long usage but in numismatics I also feel it has no place and can lead to some confusion.

Does anyone know if the English ever refer to their pennies as cents?

coindaughter

I asked this question just the other day!

Here is the thread.

Cheers,
CD

Conder101

From talking with collectors from Britain I can tell you they don't call their pence cents.