No More Pennies
Have you ever picked up a penny for good luck? The coins will soon be harder to find. That’s because the United States is no longer making them. The last batch of pennies was made on November 12.
Brandon Beach is the United States treasurer. He’s holding up the country’s last penny on November 12, 2025.
MATTHEW HATCHER—GETTY IMAGES
Pennies are being discontinued. This will save money. Pennies cost nearly 4¢ to make, the U.S. Mint says. That’s much more than a penny is worth. Not making the coin might save the government $56 million each year.
Pennies will still be accepted as money. There are billions in use. A few pennies will be made in small batches. They will be for collectors.
The last batch of pennies was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are stamped with a special symbol.
MATTHEW HATCHER—GETTY IMAGES
Tricky Business
Businesses aren’t sure what to do. How will they make change for customers?
Canada ended its penny in 2012. Businesses round payments to the nearest 5¢. That was the advice of the Canadian government.
U.S. companies want guidance. A group of businesspeople wrote a letter to Congress. It will be “challenging” to make cash transactions without advice, they said.
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