Read the passage from “Abolishing the Penny Makes Good Sense.”
Even England, as tradition-bound a nation as they come, is more progressive in this matter than the United States. Years ago, the smallest unit of British currency was the farthing, equal to one-quarter of what was then called a penny. As England grew richer, the farthing gave way to the half-penny, then to the old penny, and finally to the new penny, which is the equivalent of 9.6 farthings. During this same time, all the stodgy United States did was abolish the half-penny.
What claim does the author make in this passage?
Other countries have eliminated low-value coins despite traditions.
Fractional coins, such as quarter- and half-pennies, are worthless.
The United States is far behind England in terms of currency policy.
As a nation grows more wealthy, it must change its coins to adapt.