did they discontinue pennies
Yes, the U.S. penny has been discontinued. The U.S. Mint ceased production in late 2025, with no new pennies minted since November 2025.
Timeline
The Treasury announced the end of penny production in early 2025, driven by President Trump's directive and recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency. Final pennies were pressed on November 12, 2025, at the Philadelphia Mint, ending over 230 years of the coin. Starting in 2026—right now, as of January 2026—the Mint produces none, saving taxpayers around $56-179 million yearly.
Why It Happened
Pennies cost nearly 4 cents each to produce (zinc, copper plating, and distribution), far exceeding their 1-cent value, leading to massive losses like $85 million in 2024. Cash use has plummeted below 20%, with digital payments dominating, much like Canada's penny phase-out in 2012. Advocates cited faster checkouts and reduced waste.
What Changes for You
- Existing billions of pennies remain legal tender forever—spend, save, or deposit them normally.
- Businesses may round cash totals to the nearest nickel (e.g., $1.03 becomes $1.05); cards/digital pay exact amounts.
- No hoarding panic needed—pennies won't gain collector value soon, though final 2025 coins might auction high.
Aspect| Before Discontinuation| Now (2026+) 15
---|---|---
Production| Billions yearly, at a loss| Zero new pennies
Cost to Make| ~3.7-4 cents each| N/A—savings for taxpayers
Usage| Common in change| Rounds to nickel; legal but fading
Countries Similar| U.S. unique holdout| Canada (2012), others followed
Forum Buzz & Trending Views
Online chatter exploded post-announcement. Reddit's r/coins asked, "How do we feel?"—mixed nostalgia vs. practicality. Square forums debate pricing tweaks, like ditching .99 endings. r/politics saw heated policy takes. Critics worry about low-income cash users; supporters cheer efficiency. Trending since May 2025, it's still hot amid cashless shifts.
"We have been advocating for the penny's elimination for 30 years." – NACS on faster checkouts
TL;DR Bottom: Pennies stopped in 2025; yours still work, cash rounds up/down. Big win on costs, small change for wallets.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.