The United States Mint has officially ended the production of the penny, concluding a tradition that began in 1793.
The last batch of 1-cent coins was pressed at the Philadelphia Mint on November 12, 2025, marking the end of a coin that once could buy a biscuit but now costs almost four cents to produce.
Decision driven by costs and obsolescence
Treasurer Brandon Beach presided over the final minting, stating:
“God bless America, and we’re going to save the taxpayers $56 million.”
President Donald Trump ordered the discontinuation of the penny as the coin’s production costs continued to exceed its face value. In a statement earlier this year, Trump wrote:
“For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!”
Reactions from the public and businesses
While billions of pennies remain in circulation and will continue to be legal tender, the abrupt phaseout caught many retailers off-guard, with some businesses rounding prices or offering incentives for exact change.
Some banks rationed their remaining penny supplies.
Historical context and legacy
The penny joins other discontinued low-value coins, such as the half-penny, last minted in 1857.
Over the past century, about half of all coins produced at mints in Philadelphia and Denver were pennies.
Frank Holt, a University of Houston professor, reflected on their significance:
“They reflect our politics, our religion, our art, our sense of ourselves, our ideals, our aspirations.”
Despite the end of production, the penny remains an iconic artifact of American monetary history.
