February 12th is Lost Penny Day, which honors the rich history of this coin. While a single penny isn’t worth much, they add up quickly. You can gather all the coins in your home, and use this as an opportunity to deposit them into your bank account. For further inspiration, the following are just a few interesting penny facts sure to surprise you.

Ben Franklin Designed the First Penny

The first coin, or Fugio Cent, featured an image of a sundial and was inscribed with the phrase “Mind Your Business” at the request of Benjamin Franklin. This design was used from the coin’s inception in 1787 until 1789, at which time it was replaced with the standard penny, inscribed with the phrase "E Pluribus Unum," which means, “out of many, one.”

Pennies & Dimes Used to Look Similar

Copper was in need for more important purposes during WWII. As a result, pennies minted around 1943 were made from steel coated in zinc, which made them very similar to dimes. Although zinc-coated pennies were only produced for about a year, it did make telling the two coins apart quite difficult for bank employees.

A Penny Is Not a Penny

Surprisingly, the name penny is a British term used for a coin of the same name. The official name of the penny is a one-cent coin. Penny became the preferred way to refer to this coin thanks to the British version’s presence throughout the American colonies. As a result, both coins were dubbed with the name, which persists to this day.

First & Peoples Bank And Trust Company can help you celebrate National Penny Day this February. This bank has been serving customers in Russell, KY, for more than 87 years, during which time they’ve established for friendly, efficient service. They can help you open a checking or savings account, and they also offer mobile banking to ensure a convenient experience. They have locations in Flatwoods, Greenup, and South Shore, KY, and they have an additional location in Russell at 400 Ferry St. Call (606) 836-0211 for more information about bank hours and locations, and visit their website to apply for online banking.