YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PENNIES NOW

The local penny shortage is over. At least for now.

Mercantile Bank was inundated by more than 200 people bringing in their pennies after the Southeast Missourian published a story about a penny shortage Saturday.

The bank had been paying a 10 percent premium for pennies. Mercantile is still accepting pennies, but is no longer paying the premium.

"We got tons and tons of pennies," said Karen Green, marketing director. "It was unbelievable."

Ironically, the Kingshighway location of the bank was without power late Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday. A transformer next to the bank blew up during Monday's storm. As a result, employees were counting pennies by hand.

"We're still counting," said Green. "Now that power's back on it should go much faster."