By now, Americans know the strange math of minting: Each penny costs about 4 cents to make. Chances are you have some in a jar, or scattered among pockets, purses and car ashtrays.

As small as it is, the penny punches above its weight culturally. If it ever disappeared, so too might the simple kindness of “take a penny, leave a penny,” alongside timeless classics like penny loafers and the tradition of…

Nancy Forster-Holt's research interests include exit of small business owners from their business, including valuation, acquisition strategies, and ENDrepreneurship (gerontology, retirement, aging of business...