Frequently Asked Questions: The End of the Penny
See how the end of the penny will impact you.
Published Thursday, November 20, 2025 to Articles
You may have heard by now that the U.S. Treasury will stop producing pennies in 2026. In fact, the U.S. Mint officially stamped its last penny on November 12, 2025.
The end of the penny, which was first introduced in 1792, has prompted many questions from consumers and businesses alike. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the discontinuation of the penny and what it means for you.
When is the penny being discontinued?
The U.S. Mint announced it had stamped its last penny on November 12, 2025, and pennies will stop circulating by early 2026. After that, no new pennies will enter circulation.
Why is the U.S. Treasury discontinuing pennies?
Each penny is worth just one cent, but it costs 3.69 cents to produce. Ending penny production is expected to save the U.S. Treasury $56 million annually.
How will businesses make change without pennies?
Many businesses have already started rounding transactions to the nearest five cents when paying with cash.
- A total of $10.74 would round up to $10.75.
- A total of $10.72 would round down to $10.70.
However, this still varies from business to business since there is no official guidance in place from the federal government. The practice above may soon become federal law under the proposed “Common Cents Act.”
So, what about the pennies I have? Can I still use them?
You can still spend or deposit existing pennies. While they’ll be removed from circulation over time, pennies remain legal tender, just like $1 coins or $2 bills.
Can I still get pennies from Veridian Credit Union?
Starting November 25, 2025, we will no longer have pennies in stock at our branches to distribute to members. You may still deposit pennies into your account, but we will not be able to give you pennies as a part of a cash disbursement.
When making cash transactions at a branch, we will always round up to the nearest nickel when giving you cash and change.
Plus, your exact balance is always protected in your account.
How can I ensure I don’t miss out on exact change?
The easiest way to pay exact amounts is by using your debit card. Electronic payments don’t require rounding, so you’ll always pay or receive the precise amount owed.
Veridian debit cards are free with any checking account, include tap-to-pay functionality, and work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets.
Learn more about Veridian’s free checking accounts and debit cards — and keep every cent in your pocket.