The U.S. Mint Stopped Making Pennies: Options for the Coins You’ve Saved

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Most of us have a jar, a cup, or a drawer somewhere that quietly collects pennies. The United States made its last penny on Nov. 12 in Philadelphia, ending a process that began in 1793. That jar is now a bit more interesting than it was.

The end of production doesn’t mean your coins have changed. It does raise a fair question about what to do with them, and the answers range from simple to slightly fun.

Your Pennies Are Still Real Money

Pennies will continue to be in circulation and can be used, deposited or kept indefinitely. There is also no plan to recall them, and they will continue to be accepted as currency. So nothing about the coins in your pocket has expired.

One caveat is worth knowing. Individual businesses may set their own policies on accepting cash and coins. A shop can still decline a big pile of coppers, so it helps to be reasonable about how you pay.

Why the Mint Pulled the Plug

The reason comes down to arithmetic. Each penny costs 3.69 cents to produce, nearly four times its face value. In 2024 alone, the U.S. Mint reported more than $85 million in losses because of penny production.

Ending production is expected to help. Ending production could save the country $56 million annually. Payment habits have also shifted, and cash is used less than it once was.

Spend Them the Easy Way