U.S. Ends Penny Production: A Shift Towards Alternative Currency Systems?

The U.S. Mint has officially stopped minting pennies, marking the conclusion of 232 years of production and circulation. This decision follows a directive from former President Donald Trump to halt penny minting, originally slated for 2026. Treasury officials depleted their coin templates between June and September. While pennies will remain legal tender with a significant supply in circulation (over 250 billion coins), the discontinuation of new minting is seen as a major shift in U.S. monetary strategy.