Penny Production Officially Ends Nationwide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The United States Mint has officially ended production of the penny.
The final one-cent coins for circulation were struck on November 12, 2025, concluding over 230 years of continuous production.
Production ended after the Treasury Department placed its final order of penny blanks in May 2025.
The cost to produce a single penny is now about 3.7 cents, more than triple its face value, making it inefficient to continue minting the coin.
The penny has been part of U.S. currency since 1792, and while it will no longer be produced, coins already in circulation remain legal tender and can still be used for transactions.
With no new pennies entering circulation, consumers and businesses may gradually notice fewer coins in everyday use.
Retailers may adjust by encouraging digital payments, accepting exact change, or rounding cash totals to the nearest five cents where allowed, though no federal mandate requires rounding.
Economists and policymakers have debated the penny’s usefulness for decades.
While some argue it still plays a role in cash transactions, the high production cost and declining purchasing power have led to the decision to end minting.
This change marks a significant moment in U.S. monetary history, as the penny joins a small number of coins that have been discontinued or phased out over time, reflecting changes in commerce, technology, and consumer habits.
