by Susan Hanna
Pennies in your pockets. Pennies in your wallet. Pennies on your dresser.
If you are like most people, you have scores of pennies lying around. And now that the Canadian government has decided to stop making pennies and eventually withdraw them from circulation, you may be looking for a way to dispose of your pennies, while putting them to good use.
Look no further than Alliance Coin and Banknote in Almonte.
Alliance Coin and Banknote owner Sean Isaacs is back raising money for the Almonte General Hospital through Penny Mountain II.
By Saturday, November 17, 2012 Sean hopes to collect 250,000 pennies, with the proceeds going towards the purchase of a key piece of medical equipment for Almonte General Hospital.
“It’s a celebration of copper,” said Sean. The mountain of pennies would weigh half a ton or 500 kg.
Mississippi Mills and area residents, Almonte General Hospital supporters and penny collectors and hoarders are asked to drop their pennies off at 88 Mill Street (Alliance Coin and Banknote) or at the Almonte General Hospital Foundation office at 75 Spring Street.
Part of the celebration will be a display of pennies from 1858 to 1920 worth $500,000.
Sean will hold his annual open house Saturday, November 17 to celebrate the end of the penny drive.
The Government of Canada announced last March that the Royal Canadian Mint will cease distribution of the one-cent coins in late 2012.
Pennies will retain their value indefinitely and can continue to be used in payments, but they are to be gradually removed from circulation.
