“Shocking or Ingenious? U.S. Mint’s John Wilkes Booth Pennies Spark Debate Across the Nation”
In a move that’s sure to spark debate across the nation—and possibly reframe how we think about monetary motifs—the United States Mint has just unveiled a penny featuring none other than John Wilkes Booth, a name synonymous with one of America’s most infamous historical events. It’s hard to imagine your wallet carrying around a coin honoring the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln, right? But here we are! Mint director Ventris Gibson argues that this new one-cent piece isn’t just any old penny; it’s a nod to the complexity of America’s past, along with its share of villains and victors. Talk about making cents… or nonsense! As we ponder whether this penny tribute will enrich conversations about history or just confuse kids at the grocery store, one thing is clear: The Booth penny is destined to ruffle feathers. Buckle up, history buffs—this is going to be a wild ride! <a href="https://theonion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USMintNIBIHAGR.jpg”>LEARN MORE.
WASHINGTON—Touting the coin as the first in American history to feature an assassin, the United States Mint introduced a controversial new John Wilkes Booth penny Friday. “With this one-cent coin, we honor John Wilkes Booth, a man who, while not perfect, altered the course of our nation in indelible ways,” said the mint’s director, Ventris Gibson, who added that one side of the new penny would include a relief portrait of the 19th-century actor-turned-gunman while the other would feature the Latin inscription “Sic semper tyrannis.” “The release of the Booth penny will help in our efforts to showcase individuals who exemplify America’s complex past. It stands alongside the Lee Harvey Oswald dime and the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed quarter as a reminder of those who risked everything for causes they believed in.” Gibson went on to state that Abraham Lincoln pennies would not be removed from circulation but would instead be altered to show the back of the president’s skull blown off.
