Penny for your thoughts? Vermonters weigh in on the copper coin's demise

The U.S. Mint ceased making new pennies in November. Our humble, one-cent, copper-and-zinc coin can still be used as currency, but its circulation will dwindle in the years ahead.Vermont's first coin — before it became a U.S. state — was also made of copper. These coins date back to days of the Green Mountain Boys, when Vermont was its own republic. Historian Jon Mathewson of Middletown Springs shares the history of Harmon's mint in Rupert. Joe Watkins of Vermont Coin & Jewelry in South Burlington gave us his coin collector's perspective on how to make a pretty penny from collecting rare pennies.For insight from the banking world, we talk with Jennifer Smith, a regional leader with Union Bank in Morrisville. We also hear from Matt Cota, managing director of the Vermont Retailers & Grocers Association. He tells us about a new state law that creates a system for rounding cash purchases up or down at the register.When it comes to idioms and common English phrases, the penny punches above its weight: penny pincher, a pretty penny, penny-wise, a penny saved and so many more. Helping us make sense of the penny's place in language is Maeve Eberhardt, associate professor of linguistics at the University of Vermont.