Physical cash is slowly becoming less common in today’s world, as more people choose digital payments like credit cards, apps, and online wallets. Coins, especially pennies, seem almost irrelevant nowadays.
With fewer people using cash, pennies often get tossed into jars or drawers and forgotten. Interestingly, it costs more to make a penny than it’s actually worth—about three cents to produce one penny!
So, what can you do with all those little copper coins collecting dust? While you can exchange them at the bank or Constar machines, there are some clever ways you can put those pennies to good use.
Here are three practical ways to repurpose your pennies:
How a Simple Coin Built an Empire: The Epic Tale of the Roman Denarius!
1. Sell Them for a Profit
You might be surprised, but not all pennies are created equal! Some of them might be worth more than just a single cent, especially if they are older or rare. Here’s how you can make some cash from pennies:
- Pre-1982 Pennies: Before 1982, pennies were made with 95% copper, which is worth more today—around $2 to $3 per pound. It takes about 150 of these old pennies to make a pound. While it’s illegal to melt pennies for profit, you can still sell them to collectors or people who want copper for various reasons. A quick search on eBay will show people selling old pennies in bulk for a decent profit.
- Rare Pennies: If you have a bunch of old pennies, take a look to see if you’ve got any rare ones. For example, “Wheat Pennies,” minted between 1909 and 1958, have two stalks of wheat on the back. These pennies are often worth more than their face value, with some rare ones fetching thousands or even millions of dollars. Checking with a coin dealer can help you identify if your collection has hidden gems.
1969 5-Cent Coin: This Ordinary Nickel Could Earn You a Mind-Blowing $3,000!
2. Use Pennies as DIY Décor
Pennies can be more than just spare change; they can also add a unique touch to your home decor. Here are some creative ways to use pennies:
- Penny Floors: If you’re feeling crafty, pennies make for an affordable and eye-catching material for tiling your floor. Not only are they durable, but they also create a unique design that you can show off to your guests.
- Decorating Furniture: Pennies can also be used to decorate table tops, mirror frames, or picture frames. Simply clean and shine the pennies to bring out that bright copper glow, and use them to cover surfaces for a shiny, eye-catching effect.
The best part? Cleaning pennies is easy—you just need white vinegar, salt, and a cloth to wipe off the grime, leaving your pennies looking fresh and ready for your DIY project.
3. Use Pennies as Weights
Pennies are small, but they can be pretty heavy when collected in large amounts. This makes them useful for a variety of weight-related tasks around the house:
- Straighten Curtains: You can sew pennies into the hem of curtains to help them hang straighter and prevent them from flapping around.
- Weigh Down Small Items: If you have things like light pull chains or papers that tend to get blown away, you can glue or tape pennies to them for some added weight.
- Pie Weights: Here’s a kitchen hack—if you bake pies, you might know that blind-baking a crust (baking it before adding the filling) often requires pie weights to keep the crust from bubbling up. Instead of buying special pie weights, you can use pennies! Just line your crust with parchment paper, fill it with clean pennies, and bake as usual.
Ancient Coins: To Slab or Not to Slab? Here’s What Collectors Think!
Conclusion: Make the Most of Your Spare Pennies
While pennies may seem like they’re not worth much anymore, they still have value if you get a little creative. Whether you sell them, use them for home décor, or repurpose them as weights, you’ll find that these small coins can still be useful in surprising ways. So, the next time you find a penny lying around, don’t toss it—put it to good use!
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.