Here's a little bit of US history - in 1943 war time, steel pennies were minted due to expectations of a copper shortage. This Steel Cents Collection of 5 pennies (minted in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver) was never placed into circulation.

The current US penny is zinc with a copper plating. Did you know that in the 1970's they considered making them out of aluminum? A very small quantity were minted but never circulated. These aluminum pennies are now considered illegal and are subject to seizure by the Secret Service. Wow!

With all of the political goings-on lately, I thought it would be a good idea to get back to basics. Since most students are apparently not taught a little thing we used to call "civics" any more, I figured this would be a good place to start.

This Declaration Of Independence Coin Set has three bicentennial coins presented alongside a beautifully crafted facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, all beautifully framed.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Now, if you'll excuse me, I going to go pursue some of that happiness while I can!