The penny, which has been a staple of US currency since 1793, is finally at the end of its own long, winding road. The US Treasury Department formally announced the end of penny production USA in 2026. The announcement brings to an end over two centuries of the one-cent coin clinking in the country's cash registers, charity jars, and piggy banks.

The move came after a directive by President Donald Trump to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this year to halt minting the coins, calling them "wasteful." Trump, in his letter, cited the rising expense and limited uses of pennies in the present cashless economy.

It now takes 3.69 cents to produce a penny, nearly four times its face value, Treasury estimates. A decade ago, it took around 1.3 cents. It is the expense of keeping pennies in circulation that has led to annual losses, with the Treasury estimating a saving of $56 million in the first year when production is halted.

A Coin No Longer Worth Its Price

Although beloved by some for sentimental reasons, the penny has long been a target of reform. Not only do detractors argue the coin is antiquated, they also contend that it is costly to the environment, constructed of zinc and copper—materials that are energy-intensive to extract and manufacture.

Even Elon Musk, the billionaire, weighed in on the issue, using his unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) Twitter account on X to pinpoint the problem of penny inefficiency. His go-viral January post sparked widespread public debate about the problem.

The Treasury confirmed that the last order of penny blanks has already been placed and that from this point, the United States Mint will only be producing pennies until they use them up.

What Will Change?

The end of penny production USA will compel companies to adjust by rounding prices to the nearest nickel. Although some consumers are concerned with minor price hikes resulting from rounding, economists say the impact will be negligible.

Other countries that have followed suit—like Canada, which got rid of its penny in 2012—have had easy transitions with little impact on inflation. The United Kingdom itself has also not been manufacturing new 1p and 2p coins in recent years due to declining cash use.

Even with the shift in logistics, the majority of economists see the transition as a step toward economic efficiency. "It's symbolic, but it's necessary," says financial analyst Morgan Steele. "We're phasing out a coin that's done its job in the economy now."

End of an Era

The penny's exit marks the end of an era in American life. To some, it's not merely a coin—it's a symbol of culture. From the Lincoln penny minted in 1909 to the common expression "a penny for your thoughts," the lowly copper coin has a strong presence in American hearts.

But as it goes digital and cash disappears, even the most sentimental rituals have to change. The end of penny production USA is not only a policy change—it's an indication of how money, business, and everyday life continue to change.

Collectors are already getting on the bandwagon. Demand for 2025 pennies—the final year of full minting—will increase as individuals desire a physical reminder of American history. So, if you do have a penny, maybe don't spend it. It will be worth more than lost forever.