The lack of fixed guidance at the state and federal levels on how to address the scarcity of new pennies has left some businesses at a loss.

Jon Martin started his coin collection 20 years ago and has amassed about 600 pieces. In a bid to connect with his community and perhaps get more people interested in numismatics, the Rogers Park resident recently decided to give away some of his collection.

In just a few weeks, there’s a very good chance you’ll have fruit bats in your pocket. The United State Mint will release a quarter on Feb. 3 featuring the National Park of American Samoa, which is home to giant bats.

Coins and cash are the focus the annual World’s Fair of Money. It’s in the Chicago area this year and we visited to get a load of all the loot.