{"id":62057,"date":"2025-11-26T22:16:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T22:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/62057\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T22:16:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T22:16:07","slug":"tallahassee-artist-protests-the-us-mint-auctioning-final-pennies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/62057\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallahassee artist protests the US Mint auctioning final pennies"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Tallahassee-based artist and content creator known for gag gifts like the \u201cthnickel\u201d (a thick nickel) is launching a protest against the U.S. Mint over their plan<\/a> to auction off the final \u201cOmega pennies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Legboot, a play on \u201cbootleg,\u201d is launching a fundraiser in an attempt to purchase one of the final sets of pennies and return them to circulation. That way, he said, any collector or everyday person might own a rare penny.<\/p>\n

The protest is quirky, no doubt, but also serious. There\u2019s a lot of work to do. So far, the GoFundMe<\/a> has raised just over $1,100, but one thousand of that is from Legboot himself.<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news: <\/p>\n

\u201cIt really rustled my jimmies hearing that a public institution like the Mint, charged with creating currency for people to use and collect… would be doing this in a way that normal people will never benefit from,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s about a symbolic protest against how public institutions are managing our money. In this case, literally.\u201d<\/p>\n

The artist believes he\u2019ll need to raise at least $50,000 to have a realistic shot at purchasing one of the sets. The Mint said it will auction off 232 pennies, some of which will be gold-plated. They\u2019ll have an Omega mark, signifying that they\u2019re the last pennies struck.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mint is excited to share this opportunity with the American public,\u201d said Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally in a statement. \u201cThe penny has withstood 232 years of our Nation\u2019s history, and we are proud to offer the chance for the public to celebrate this moment into perpetuity by purchasing one of these special sets. It is truly an honor to continue Connecting America through Coins.\u201d <\/p>\n

If successful, Legboot would crack the plastic covers and circulate the pennies like any other transaction at the ticket counter or vending machine.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, Charlie getting the golden ticket. If Wonka had just auctioned his tickets off to the highest bidder, it would\u2019ve been a much different story,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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