So, you’re standing at a checkout counter, the total is $10.02, and you realize you haven’t seen a shiny new copper coin in ages. It feels like they just... vanished. You might’ve heard the rumors swirling around that the 45th and 47th President took a look at the books and decided the penny had to go. Honestly, if you're asking did Trump stop making pennies, the answer isn't just a simple yes or no—it’s a "he started the process, and now we’re living through the fallout."
Basically, on February 9, 2025, Donald Trump took to Truth Social and posted what many coin collectors and budget hawks had been waiting years to hear. He called the penny "wasteful" and "ridiculous." He wasn't exactly wrong about the math. By the time he returned to office, it was costing the U.S. Mint about 3.7 cents just to manufacture a single one-cent coin. Think about that. We were spending nearly four cents to create one cent of value.
The Day the Minting Died
The official directive came down fast. Trump instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt the production of new pennies for general circulation. It wasn't an overnight disappearance, though. The U.S. Mint had a stockpile of "blanks"—those are the flat metal discs before they get stamped with Lincoln’s face—and they kept striking those until the supply ran dry.
The very last circulating penny was struck in a ceremonial event at the Philadelphia Mint on November 12, 2025. I’m talking about a 232-year run coming to an end. It was kind of a big deal. Brandon Beach, the U.S. Treasurer, actually struck the final coin himself. While the Mint still makes "numismatic" versions (those fancy ones in plastic cases for collectors), the ones you use to buy a pack of gum are officially a thing of the past.
Why did he do it?
It mostly came down to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a push to trim what the administration saw as "low-hanging fruit" in the federal budget. Here's a quick look at the "penny-nomics" that led to the kill order:
- Production Costs: In 2024, the Mint lost over $85 million just making pennies.
- Metal Prices: The cost of zinc—which makes up 97.5% of a penny—has been climbing.
- Time Waste: Retailing groups like the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) argued that fumbling for pennies at the register wastes billions of seconds of productivity every year.
Is the Penny Still Legal Tender?
Here is the part that trips people up. Even though Trump stopped the production of new pennies, the coin is still legal tender. That means you can still walk into a store with a jar of 500 pennies and, technically, they have to take them. They aren’t "worthless" or "canceled."
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The government estimates there are roughly 114 billion to 300 billion pennies already floating around in cushions, car cup holders, and piggy banks. That's a lot of copper-plated zinc. Because there are so many in existence, the Federal Reserve said they’ll keep recirculating the old ones for as long as they physically hold together. But as they get lost or damaged, they aren't being replaced. We’re in a "slow fade" phase.
What Happens at the Cash Register Now?
If you live in a state like Arkansas or Michigan, you might have already seen the little signs at the register. Since the supply of pennies at banks is drying up, many retailers have moved to symmetrical rounding.
Basically, it works like this: if your total ends in 1, 2, 6, or 7 cents, the price is rounded down to the nearest nickel. If it ends in 3, 4, 8, or 9 cents, it gets rounded up. But—and this is a big "but"—this usually only applies to cash transactions. If you’re paying with a credit card, Apple Pay, or a check, you’re still being charged the exact cent.
The "Nickel" Problem
Interestingly, some economists think this move might backfire. Why? Because the nickel is even more expensive to make than the penny. A nickel costs about 14 cents to produce. If everyone starts needing more nickels because they can't give out pennies, the U.S. Mint might actually end up losing more money in the long run. It's one of those weird government quirks where solving one problem creates a slightly bigger, silver-colored problem.
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What You Should Do With Your Pennies
If you have a hoard of pennies at home, don't throw them away. Honestly, you've got three real options right now:
- Spend Them: Use them at self-checkout machines while you still can. Most machines are still calibrated to take them, and it’s an easy way to clear out the clutter.
- Take Them to the Bank: Many banks are actually begging for coin deposits right now because they can't get new shipments from the Mint.
- Check for Rarities: Before you dump them, look for "S" or "W" mint marks, or the 2017 "P" penny. With production ended, some of these "common" coins might actually hold a bit of collector value in a few years.
The penny might be a "nuisance" to some, but it’s been a part of American life since 1792. Seeing it go marks a huge shift in how we think about money. We’re moving toward a digital-first economy where physical change feels more like a relic than a tool. Trump’s order just sped up the inevitable.
Your next move: Dig out that coin jar this weekend. Take it to a Coinstar or your local credit union. Since the Fed is starting to resume penny deposits at certain hubs, now is the best time to convert that heavy metal into actual spending power before rounding becomes the universal law of the land.