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A penny was a coin used on Earth in the 20th century as currency. It was worth one cent. In both Canada and the United States of America, a penny was worth 1/100th of a dollar. In Old Britain, a penny (better known in plural, pence) was worth 1/240th of a pound.

In 2004, Loomis complained to T'Pol that he was being paid "$10,000 a piece for the last three" blood types, and that he wouldn't "see a penny of it." (ENT: "Carpenter Street")

Observing the latest technology aboard the USS Discovery, Commander Nhan made the somewhat jealous comment that she saw "where the Federation was putting its pennies." (DIS: "Brother")

When Gary Mitchell was increasing in power, Sulu stated that his ability was increasing geometrically and that it was "like having a penny, doubling it every day. In a month, you'll be a millionaire." Spock noted that soon Mitchell would "have attained powers we can't understand and can't cope with." (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before")

When the USS Enterprise visited Sigma Iotia II, Kirk told Okmyx that he was tired of playing "patty cake with you penny-ante operators", pointing out that he was a small-time crook by using a poker reference. He then told him that the Federation was taking over, and if Oxymx played along, he would get a cut. (TOS: "A Piece of the Action")

While in the Sherlock Holmes holoprogram, Captain Picard picked up a two pence coin and referred to it as "tuppence — two pence", and kept it as a sign of good luck. Immediately afterwards, a ruffian attempted to mug them by threatening them with a knife, demanding the coin they'd found, along with the rest of the money they had on. He was easily neutralized and scared away by Data before he could make good on his threat. Picard and Data theorized that, considering the compromised state of the holodeck, the mortality failsafe may not have been in effect, meaning that the mugger could have actually harmed them (or at least the human Picard). (TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data")

When planning to rob the casino in Vic Fontaine's old Las Vegas hotel in the holosuite program, Dr. Bashir quipped that "We have to see to it that Mister Zeemo never sees a penny of that money." (DS9: "Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang")

Expressions[]

Dr. Crusher used the old Earth adage "a penny for your thoughts" when talking with Picard and trying to get him to talk to her. When asked if she had one, she noted that she was sure that the replicator would have one on file. (TNG: "The Perfect Mate")

Q later used the same adage with Picard in a pun-like manner after Penny Muroc threw a drink in his face after Picard called her a "handsome woman." (TNG: "Tapestry")

After sharing thoughts due to the psi-wave device, Dr. Crusher used the adage again with Picard, wanting to know what he was thinking as they had dinner and Champagne together. (TNG: "Attached")

Captain Picard used the an old Earth adage, "in for a penny, in for a pound", when talking to Data and Riker about delivering a message to Data's "pen pal" in 2365. (TNG: "Pen Pals")

Kathryn Janeway used the adage when talking to the Nezu Ambassador when offering to help with a rescue attempt from an asteroid bombardment. (VOY: "Rise")

Zero used the expression "penny for your thoughts" when asking Gwyndala about her current mood. The Medusan claimed it was an expression Hologram Janeway taught them. (PRO: "Kobayashi")

In the non-canon Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force, during an in-game cinematic, Ensign Telsia Murphy said "a penny for your thoughts" to Munro. In response, he asked what a penny was. To this, Murphy replied, "I think it's an old coin. I think Ensign Paris might have one."

External links[]

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