What Counts as a Penny?

At JustPennies, trust starts with education. The word “penny” is widely used in coin collecting, but it is often applied inaccurately. This page explains exactly what qualifies as a penny on our platform and why we are deliberate and consistent in how the term is used. Our goal is to remove confusion, protect collectors, and create a marketplace built on facts rather than hype.

A penny is defined as a coin that was officially issued with the name “penny” or “pence” by a country’s government, or a coin that is universally and historically recognized as a penny despite having a different official denomination name. Using this standard, only a small number of countries have ever issued true pennies. These include the United Kingdom, which still issues pennies and pence today; Ireland, which issued pennies prior to adopting the euro; the United States, where the coin is officially a cent but legally and culturally known as a penny; Canada, which issued pennies until discontinuation in 2012; Australia and New Zealand, both of which issued pennies prior to decimal currency; and South Africa, which issued pennies in the pre-decimal era. These are the only countries that have ever officially issued coins known as pennies.

Many other countries have issued small-denomination coins, but those coins are not pennies, even if they are sometimes described that way elsewhere. Coins such as centimes, centavos, pfennigs, sen, paisa, fen, and centesimos are distinct denominations with their own histories and names. While they may serve a similar monetary function, they are not pennies and are not eligible to be listed as such on JustPennies.

This distinction matters. On many large marketplaces, sellers frequently label any small copper-colored coin as a penny, use exaggerated words like “rare” or “valuable” without factual support, and unintentionally or deliberately mislead new collectors. JustPennies was created to be different. Our standards ensure clear, accurate listings, honest pricing, and a safe place for collectors who simply want to buy or sell an affordable coin without confusion or pressure.

On JustPennies, the term “penny” is applied consistently and responsibly. Pennies must come from approved penny-issuing countries, listings must be based on verifiable facts such as date, mint, and observable condition, and exaggerated claims are not allowed. Coins that do not meet this definition cannot be rebranded or marketed as pennies.

Not every meaningful coin is expensive, and not every collectible needs to be professionally graded to matter. Pennies often come from everyday life—pocket change, old jars, family collections, and personal history. JustPennies exists to preserve that authenticity and to ensure that every penny listed on the site is exactly what it claims to be: real, affordable, and trusted.