The United States Mint officially produced its last penny on November 12, 2025, bringing an end to more than 230 years of minting the common one-cent coin. The penny, first introduced in 1793, has long been a familiar part of everyday transactions, school savings jars, and spare-change cups across the nation.
The decision to discontinue production came after years of rising manufacturing costs. For some time, it had cost more than one cent to produce each penny, prompting lawmakers and federal officials to reevaluate the coin’s practicality. Ultimately, the cost of minting pennies outweighed their face value, leading to their retirement from production.
While existing pennies will remain legal tender, no new pennies will be made going forward. The change marks the close of a historic chapter in American currency, one that has jingled in pockets and shaped commerce for generations.
