Ever tossed a penny and thought, “What’s it even worth anymore?” You’re not alone. The U.S. Treasury is officially pulling the plug on the penny, following guidance from former President Donald Trump. The Treasury placed its final order for penny blanks—those plain metal discs used to mint coins—marking the beginning of the end. Trump’s reasoning? Producing a penny costs nearly 4 cents—3.69 cents to be exact—according to U.S. Mint figures.
So, now that it’s happening, what does the loss of the penny really mean for you, collectors, and everyday purchases?
Will 2025 Pennies Be Worth More?
Probably not. Despite their final run, 2025 pennies are unlikely to gain any real monetary value. The U.S. Mint churned out about 3.2 billion pennies in 2024, and with billions more coming this year, they’ll still be in heavy circulation.
“There’s no data to suggest they’ll become rare or collectible,” says John Feigenbaum, publisher of Greysheet and executive director of the Professional Numismatists Guild. He compares the 2025 penny hype to the 1976 bicentennial quarter. “Everyone hoarded them. Now people have bags full of them—still only worth 25 cents,” he explains.
However, the shift may spark a renewed interest in Lincoln pennies as collectibles. With the 2025 penny serving as a symbolic final chapter, it might inspire budding collectors to dive into coin books that trace the Lincoln penny’s journey back to 1909. Feigenbaum recommends parents get their kids a collecting guide, such as one by Whitman Publishing, to turn this into a learning opportunity about American history.
Should You Stockpile 2025 Pennies?
Not if you think they’ll make you rich. There’s been plenty of buzz—and misinformation—about older Lincoln wheat pennies being worth a fortune. The same could happen with these, but experts remain firm: don’t believe the hype.
“They’re not going to be valuable,” Feigenbaum warns. Instead of stashing them away, it might be smarter to gather up that loose change around the house. According to the Federal Reserve, the average home holds between $60 and $90 in coins. Head to your local bank or a Coinstar machine and cash them in.
Will Ending the Penny Actually Save Money?
That’s a complicated question. Eliminating penny production could save taxpayers around $179 million annually, based on Department of Government Efficiency estimates. The U.S. Mint projects $56 million in savings just from reduced material costs.
“For every penny we mint, the government loses money,” said Raymond Robertson, director at Texas A&M’s Mosbacher Institute. However, the story doesn’t end there. If demand for nickels rises to fill the gap, it may cost even more. Each nickel costs 13.78 cents to produce.
More nickels means higher costs, not lower. Robertson notes, “It’s unclear whether the government will actually see savings once the penny is gone.” A bill introduced in Congress (H.R. 1270) even suggests ditching the nickel to streamline savings further.
How Will This Affect Prices and Payments?
There’s no official deadline, but as the penny fades, retailers may start rounding prices to the nearest five cents. That means those familiar .49 or .99 endings could shift. According to Bill Maurer of UC Irvine, stores might round up when customers pay in cash, especially if they don’t have pennies for change.
“For cash-paying customers—many of whom are lower income—this could be a small but meaningful increase in daily expenses,” Maurer warns.
Other nations like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have taken similar steps. Some prices round up, others down—it varies. But the trend suggests fewer low-denomination coins, and more dependence on digital payments.
Maurer adds a cautionary note: while digital payments are efficient, they’re not failproof. Physical currency provides a safety net during emergencies when electronic systems might fail. “Eliminating coins removes a redundancy in our monetary system that’s crucial in times of crisis,” he says.
The penny’s chapter in American history is closing—but its impact is still unfolding. Whether you’re a collector, a shopper, or just someone with a jar full of change, the end of the penny will affect you in more ways than you might expect.
