(WDNews) – The U.S. Mint will strike its final batch of pennies today, officially ending more than two centuries of production for the one-cent coin.
First introduced in 1792, the penny was among the earliest coins minted by the United States. Its discontinuation follows President Donald Trump’s February announcement ordering the Treasury Department to halt production, citing the rising cost of manufacturing.
According to the U.S. Mint, it now costs nearly four cents to produce a single penny. Supporters of the decision say the coin’s cost outweighs its value, while others argue it remains useful for charity drives and small cash transactions.
Despite the penny’s low purchasing power, it has long held sentimental and symbolic value in American culture. Pennies are still used in penny slot machines and are often left on gravestones—particularly those of fallen soldiers—as a gesture of respect.
There are currently an estimated 114 billion pennies in circulation across the United States. Over time, officials say, the coin will gradually disappear from everyday use—marking the end of an era for America’s smallest denomination.
