The US has stopped issuing regular pennies; the last coin was minted on November 12, 2025, in Philadelphia. Despite this, many people still keep pennies at home. It is important to know that pennies remain legal tender, and banks continue to accept them; some older coins may be worth significantly more than one cent.
Although the US has ceased producing new pennies, existing coins are not being withdrawn. President Trump ordered the halt of production in February 2025, after which the Mint placed the final order for penny blanks in May, and the final coin was struck in November. The reason was a reduction in costs: manufacturing one penny cost $0.0369, whereas ten years ago it was $0.0142, allowing for savings of about $56 million annually.
Congress passed a law officially ending the minting of pennies. On September 28, 2026, the Senate approved the Common Cents Act and sent it to the President, which solidifies the status of every penny as legal tender.
Since no new pennies will be issued, many Federal Reserve mint centers have stopped sending them to banks, leading to a shortage of coins at the end of 2025. This shortage might have been the reason for cashiers rounding change. Most rounding rules work as follows: a bill of $4.12 becomes $4.10, and a bill of $4.13 becomes $4.15.
If you run a small business that accepts cash, it is recommended to post a notice explaining the rounding rule and apply it consistently, while also keeping a supply of nickels in the register. Card and mobile payments completely eliminate this issue.
The best way to dispose of pennies depends on their quantity and your priorities: whether you want cash, convenience, or to support charity. For most people, the simplest option is to take them to a bank. You can collect them and bring them to your branch, receiving the full value back, usually free of charge.
It is recommended to ask the bank for free coin envelopes. One roll contains 50 coins, which equals 50 cents. Some banks still have counting machines for customers, but you should call ahead, as many of them have been dismantled.
If you have a box of 2000 pennies, that is equivalent to $20. While this is not a fortune, it is real money that is better put into a high-yield savings account to earn a higher percentage return. If you are considering investing, start with the basics, such as the difference between a trading platform and a trading terminal.
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Most stores still accept pennies, although federal law does not require private shops to accept them. They are useful when making change at the register, allowing you to avoid rounding when paying with cash. For example, the Sheetz gas station chain offered free drinks to those who exchanged their pennies.
If you do not want to manually count hundreds of coins, you can use a Coinstar machine, which is located in many grocery stores. However, there is a catch: when receiving cash, Coinstar retains up to 12.9% plus a $0.99 fee, meaning $100 in coins will yield about $86.11. In this case, choosing an electronic gift certificate is more advantageous as there is no fee.
Pennies are ideal for charity boxes. Schools hold penny drives, and food banks also collect them. Coinstar machines allow donations to organizations like the American Red Cross and Feeding America, although Coinstar takes a small percentage of the donation.
Most modern pennies will never be worth more than one cent due to their sheer volume. Nevertheless, keeping a few specimens remains pleasant. Pennies from 2025, minted in the final year, can serve as an interesting souvenir. Before deciding the fate of a large number of coins, they should be sorted by year, as this is the only way to find rare specimens.
Pennies minted in 1981 or earlier are 95% copper. Most pennies from 1983 onwards are made predominantly of zinc with a thin copper plating. Coins from 1982 contained both types. A copper coin weighs 3.11 grams, and a zinc coin weighs 2.5 grams; this can be determined with kitchen scales.
In mid-2026, copper was selling for over $6 per pound. At such a price, the metal in one copper penny is worth about four cents. Unfortunately, melting them for cash is prohibited by the 31 CFR Part 82 rule, which penalizes violations with a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. Therefore, copper pennies should be stored separately, as their preservation is legal, and some coin dealers may buy them wholesale at a premium above face value.
Wheat pennies were issued from 1909 to 1958 and feature two wheat stalks when flipped over. Most of them are worth only a few cents, but some years can be worth much more. If you find such a coin, do not clean it, as this reduces its value. First, check it in the PCGS Price Guide, and then send it for appraisal to PCGS or NGC before selling. This is a safe way to handle potentially rare wheat pennies.
Regular pennies can be used for creative projects. Federal regulations permit their use in crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, but prohibit their use for profit from the metal.
Creating a floor out of pennies looks impressive and is inexpensive. One square foot requires approximately 250–300 pennies, which amounts to about $3. You can start with a small area, such as a tabletop or kitchen wall. After gluing the pennies and filling the gaps with grout, the entire surface should be sealed with clear epoxy resin so the coins do not tarnish. This is a great option for a box of pennies that does not contain rare coins.
You have probably seen press-penny machines in zoos and museums. By inserting a penny and turning a knob, you can obtain a flat oval souvenir with an image. Older copper pennies turn out brighter, so it is worth taking a few along on a trip.
Canada stopped issuing pennies in May 2012 and phased them out on February 4, 2013. Its rules reflect the direction of the US: since then, Canadian businesses have actively switched to digital payments, using eChecks to reduce costs. If you have Canadian pennies in an American box, most American banks and Coinstar machines will not accept them, so they should be exchanged when visiting Canada.
Overall, the best choice for most people is to return them to their bank, as this is free and you receive every cent. An alternative could be a Coinstar electronic gift certificate if you prefer not to manually count.
It is recommended to sort the coins by year, setting aside any coins from 1958 or older, as well as every 1943 penny, and separately setting aside all pennies from 1981 or older. Check these groups first, and then exchange the rest.
Yes, pennies remain legal tender thanks to the Common Cents Act. The same ideas apply to nickels, dimes, and quarters. Tip: look for dimes, quarters, and half dollars from 1964 or older, as they contain 90% silver and are worth more than their face value.
