“Every penny counts.” This phrase has been a part of American folklore for over 232 years. Sadly, the penny is no more! The US treasury minted the last penny on November 12, 2025. While issuing this order, President Donald Trump reasoned that it costs four pennies to actually mint a penny, and this action would save the US treasury roughly 56 million dollars a year.
But with 300 billion pennies still in the pockets of Americans, the penny will continue to be legal tender in the United States for a long time to come. Experts predict that businesses will be forced to modify the prices of goods and commodities to the nearest nickel. While this may increase the cost of household goods marginally, it is not expected to have any inflationary impact on the economy.
While the shiny copper coins slowly vanish from our pockets, and from desk drawers and piggy banks alike, it is sure to become a collector’s item over time. After all, the penny is not just a piece of metal, it is a piece of the American identity!
