Genevieve sits down with her father, numismatist Larry Hoefer, in front of the Abraham Lincoln exhibit to trace the rise and fall of the American penny. They explore colonial coinage, foreign influences, funeral‑related artifacts, and why the cent’s long story is quietly coming to an end.

Five Key Takeaways

1. The U.S. cent was created as a break from the British penny and grew alongside early continental currency.

2. American coinage design drew on British, Spanish, and Roman influences, including Lady Liberty and laurel wreaths.

3. No living person can legally appear on United States coinage, which shaped the use of symbols and deceased presidents.

4. Obsolete denominations such as the half cent and two‑cent piece reveal how people once made everyday change.

5. Coins connect directly to death and remembrance, from Roman coins on the eyes of the dead to exhibits at the National Museum of Funeral History.

Genevieve sits down with her father, numismatist Larry Hoefer, in front of the Abraham Lincoln exhibit to trace the rise and fall of the American penny. They explore colonial coinage, foreign influences, funeral‑related artifacts, and why the cent&rsquo;s long story is quietly coming to an end.
Five Key Takeaways
1. The U.S. cent was created as a break from the British penny and grew alongside early continental currency.
2. American coinage design drew on British, Spanish, and Roman influences, including Lady Liberty and laurel wreaths.
3. No living person can legally appear on United States coinage, which shaped the use of symbols and deceased presidents.
4. Obsolete denominations such as the half cent and two‑cent piece reveal how people once made everyday change.
5. Coins connect directly to death and remembrance, from Roman coins on the eyes of the dead to exhibits at the National Museum of Funeral History.

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.

This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.

Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at www.nmfh.org. 

And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.
This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.
Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at <a href="http://www.nmfh.org">www.nmfh.org</a>. 
And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The Final Curtain Never Closes

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.

This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.

Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at www.nmfh.org. 

And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.
This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.
Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at <a href="http://www.nmfh.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nmfh.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1674242839098000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1eUszxGGKNoJjKnYiXLWw6">www.nmfh.org</a>. 
And remember, any day above ground is a good one!