The United States Mint struck its last batch of one-cent coins on Wednesday, ending over 230 years of penny production under orders from the Trump administration, which cited the move as a step to streamline currency amid calls to phase out the low-value denomination.
The decision, announced by the Treasury Department, aligns with President Donald Trump’s February social media directive to abolish the penny, framing it as a relic in an era of digital payments and rising production costs.
The roughly 300 billion pennies already in circulation will remain legal tender, officials confirmed, ensuring no immediate disruption to commerce.
Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver will repurpose penny-stamping machines to boost output of nickels, dimes and quarters, a shift aimed at meeting demand for higher-value coins.
