潘妮的命運未卜：我們該保留還是廢棄這枚心愛的美分？

4 月 1 日是全國一美分日，儘管其購買力不斷下降，但還是慶祝了這一天。美國自 1787 年起就發行一美分硬幣，但其生產成本現已超過其價值。專家們對逐步淘汰便士的優點進行了爭論，理由是它給企業帶來不便和負擔，而像哈里瓊斯這樣的收藏家則主張保留它。

Penny's Fate Hangs in the Balance: Should We Keep or Scrap the Beloved Cent?

潘妮的命運懸而未決：我們該保留還是廢棄這枚心愛的美分？

As the United States grapples with the lingering effects of inflation, the humble penny has become the center of a heated debate. While its purchasing power has dwindled over the years, the penny remains a beloved symbol of American history and tradition. However, with the rise of digital payments and the increasing cost of production, some experts argue that it may be time to bid farewell to the one-cent coin.

當美國努力應對通貨膨脹的揮之不去的影響時，不起眼的便士已成為激烈爭論的中心。儘管多年來其購買力有所下降，但便士仍然是美國歷史和傳統的深受喜愛的象徵。然而，隨著數位支付的興起和生產成本的不斷增加，一些專家認為，現在可能是告別一美分硬幣的時候了。

A Historical Relic vs. an Economic Burden

歷史遺跡與經濟負擔

The penny has a rich history in the United States, dating back to the establishment of the country's first mint in 1792. Designed by Benjamin Franklin, the original penny was made of pure copper and was significantly larger than its modern counterpart. Over the centuries, the coin's composition and design have undergone several revisions, but its basic form has remained largely unchanged.

便士在美國有著豐富的歷史，可以追溯到 1792 年美國第一座鑄幣廠的建立。最初的便士由本傑明·富蘭克林設計，由純銅製成，比現代的便士大得多。幾個世紀以來，硬幣的組成和設計經歷了多次修改，但其基本形式基本上保持不變。

For many collectors, such as Harry Jones, who has amassed an impressive collection over the past five decades, the penny holds immense sentimental value. "An S VDB, 1909-S VDB is at least a $500 dollar coin," Jones boasts, referring to one of his prized possessions. However, finding valuable pennies is a needle-in-a-haystack endeavor, and most pennies circulating today lack such monetary significance.

對於許多收藏家來說，例如哈利瓊斯（Harry Jones），他在過去的五年裡積累了令人印象深刻的收藏，一分錢具有巨大的情感價值。 「一枚 S VDB，1909-S VDB 至少是一枚 500 美元的硬幣，」瓊斯自豪地說道，他指的是他的一件珍貴財產。然而，尋找有價值的便士是大海撈針，而當今流通的大多數便士都缺乏這種貨幣意義。

The Cost of Keeping the Penny

保留便士的成本

Despite its historical significance, the penny has become increasingly inconvenient and costly to produce. According to experts, it now costs more than one cent to manufacture each penny, raising concerns about its economic viability. "Recent estimates have showed that to actually make a penny, get the materials that's needed for the U.S. Mint to actually make a penny is about two and one-half cents," explains Michael Goldberg, an associate professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University.

儘管它具有重要的歷史意義，但一分錢的生產變得越來越不方便且成本高昂。據專家稱，現在每枚硬幣的製造成本超過一美分，這引發了人們對其經濟可行性的擔憂。凱斯西儲大學經濟學副教授邁克爾·戈德堡解釋說：“最近的估計表明，要真正製造一便士，美國造幣廠實際製造一便士所需的材料大約需要兩美分半。” 。

Goldberg believes that the United States should follow the lead of other countries, such as Canada, Finland, and Australia, which have successfully removed pennies from circulation. "There are roadmaps to do this," he argues, pointing to the potential savings and streamlining of the country's pricing system by eliminating the need for one-cent increments.

戈德堡認為，美國應該效法加拿大、芬蘭和澳洲等其他國家的做法，這些國家已經成功地讓便士退出流通。他認為，“有實現這一目標的路線圖”，並指出通過消除一美分增量的需要，可以節省成本並簡化國家的定價體系。

Consumer Concerns and Symbolism

消費者的擔憂和象徵意義

However, opponents of eliminating the penny, such as Jones, argue that it would disproportionately harm consumers. "Businesses would likely round prices up to the nearest nickel," they contend, meaning that consumers would end up paying more for everyday purchases.

然而，瓊斯等反對取消一分錢的人認為，這會對消費者造成不成比例的傷害。他們認為，“企業可能會將價格四捨五入到最接近的五分錢”，這意味著消費者最終將為日常購物支付更多費用。

Additionally, some see the penny as an enduring symbol of American history and thrift. "I just think we've had it so long we don't have to get rid of it," Jones insists. "I don't think it's breaking the country to keep 'em."

此外，有些人將便士視為美國歷史和節儉的持久象徵。 「我只是認為我們已經擁有它太久了，我們不需要擺脫它，」瓊斯堅持說。 “我不認為為了留住他們而破壞了這個國家。”

The debate over the penny's fate is likely to continue for some time, pitting those who value its historical and sentimental significance against those who prioritize economic efficiency. As the nation grapples with the challenges of the 21st century, the penny's future remains uncertain, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of tradition and the relentless march of progress.

關於便士命運的爭論可能會持續一段時間，那些重視其歷史和情感意義的人與那些優先考慮經濟效率的人之間的對立。當這個國家努力應對 21 世紀的挑戰時，便士的未來仍然充滿不確定性，它深刻地提醒人們傳統的持久力量和進步的不懈進取。