A
penny is a coin (pl.
pennies) or a unit of
currency (pl.
pence) used in several English-speaking countries. It is usually the smallest denomination within a currency system. In a number of countries, including the United States, the name penny has survived in popular use for a one cent coin in decimal systems. Due to their already low value and erosion of purchasing power due to decades of
inflation, minting of pennies (or "one-cent coins") ceased in
Canada in 2012.