Overview
- Production of circulation pennies ceased with a final strike in Philadelphia overseen by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Treasurer Brandon Beach.
- Pennies remain legal tender, and officials estimate roughly 300 billion are still in circulation across the United States.
- President Donald Trump directed the halt earlier this year after Mint data showed each penny cost about 3.69–4 cents to produce.
- Retailers report immediate supply gaps and are using temporary policies such as rounding or exact-change requests, while some states require exact change and SNAP rules complicate cash handling.
- Trade groups are pressing Congress for clear rounding guidance as the move refocuses attention on other costly denominations, including nickels and quarters.