佩妮的命运未卜：我们应该保留还是废弃这枚心爱的美分？

4 月 1 日是全国一美分日，尽管其购买力不断下降，但还是庆祝了这一天。美国自 1787 年起就发行一美分硬币，但其生产成本现已超过其价值。专家们对逐步淘汰便士的优点进行了争论，理由是它给企业带来不便和负担，而像哈里·琼斯这样的收藏家则主张保留它。

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

佩妮的命运悬而未决：我们应该保留还是废弃这枚心爱的美分？

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.

当美国努力应对通货膨胀的挥之不去的影响时，不起眼的便士已成为激烈争论的中心。尽管多年来其购买力有所下降，但便士仍然是美国历史和传统的深受喜爱的象征。然而，随着数字支付的兴起和生产成本的不断增加，一些专家认为，现在可能是告别一美分硬币的时候了。

A Historical Relic vs. an Economic Burden

历史遗迹与经济负担

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.

便士在美国有着丰富的历史，可以追溯到 1792 年美国第一座铸币厂的建立。最初的便士由本杰明·富兰克林设计，由纯铜制成，比现代的便士大得多。几个世纪以来，硬币的构成和设计经历了多次修改，但其基本形式基本保持不变。

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.

对于许多收藏家来说，比如哈利·琼斯（Harry Jones），他在过去的五年里积累了令人印象深刻的收藏，一分钱具有巨大的情感价值。 “一枚 S VDB，1909-S VDB 至少是一枚 500 美元的硬币，”琼斯自豪地说道，他指的是他的一件珍贵财产。然而，寻找有价值的便士是大海捞针，而当今流通的大多数便士都缺乏这种货币意义。

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.

尽管它具有重要的历史意义，但一分钱的生产变得越来越不方便且成本高昂。据专家称，现在每枚硬币的制造成本超过一美分，这引发了人们对其经济可行性的担忧。凯斯西储大学经济学副教授迈克尔·戈德堡解释说：“最近的估计表明，要真正制造一便士，美国造币厂实际制造一便士所需的材料大约需要两美分半。” 。

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.

戈德堡认为，美国应该效仿加拿大、芬兰和澳大利亚等其他国家的做法，这些国家已经成功地让便士退出流通。他认为，“有实现这一目标的路线图”，并指出通过消除一美分增量的需要，可以节省成本并简化国家的定价体系。

Consumer Concerns and Symbolism

消费者的担忧和象征意义

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，琼斯等反对取消一分钱的人认为，这会对消费者造成不成比例的伤害。他们认为，“企业可能会将价格四舍五入到最接近的五分钱”，这意味着消费者最终将为日常购物支付更多费用。

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，一些人将便士视为美国历史和节俭的持久象征。 “我只是认为我们已经拥有它太久了，我们不需要摆脱它，”琼斯坚持说。 “我不认为为了留住他们而破坏了这个国家。”

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.

关于便士命运的争论可能会持续一段时间，那些重视其历史和情感意义的人与那些优先考虑经济效率的人之间的对立。当这个国家努力应对 21 世纪的挑战时，便士的未来仍然充满不确定性，它深刻地提醒人们传统的持久力量和进步的不懈进取。