Overview
- United States Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final circulating cent at the Philadelphia Mint last week, formally ending general production.
- Pennies remain legal tender, and the final newly minted batch is expected to enter circulation in early 2026.
- The Mint reports it now costs about 3.69 cents to produce a one‑cent coin, up from 1.42 cents a decade ago.
- Some retailers have begun rounding cash totals to the nearest nickel, including certain McDonald’s and Wendy’s locations and Midwest chain Kwik Trip.
- Banks and coin-counting services have scaled back coin processing, complicating cashing in change as cash accounts for roughly 14% of consumer payments.