Question

Although the penny has little value, some Americans want to keep it around for sentimental reasons. It reminds them of the birth of our nation, freedom, and Abraham Lincoln. Some even feel that retiring the penny would be un-American. Yet, the U.S. military thought otherwise. In 1980 the federal government banned the use of pennies on overseas military bases because the coins were too heavy and cost too much to ship. Prices on military bases were rounded up or down to the nearest nickel. As for Abraham Lincoln, the five-dollar bill still bears his image, so he won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

What is the meaning of sentimental as it is used in the passage?

Answer 1

In the passage, the word "sentimental" is used to describe the emotional attachment or feelings of affection and nostalgia that some Americans have towards the penny due to its historical significance and associations with the birth of the nation, freedom, and Abraham Lincoln. Sentimental in this context means that people have sentimental or emotional reasons for wanting to keep the penny in circulation, despite its low monetary value.