Penny Production Ends – NickelPAC Targets Next Wasteful Coin for Sunset

Philadelphia, PA – November 13, 2025 – In a historic ceremony at the U.S. Mint yesterday, Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final circulating pennies, marking the end of 233 years of production for the one-cent coin. President Trump's February directive to halt minting, citing costs of 3.69 cents per penny (up nearly 20% from 2024), will save taxpayers an estimated $56 million annually. With 300 billion pennies still in circulation as legal tender, cash transactions are shifting to rounding to the nearest nickel – a move that could exacerbate losses on the even costlier five-cent coin.

The penny's demise spotlights the nickel's deeper fiscal drain: At 13.78 cents per unit to produce, the U.S. Mint lost $17.7 million on 202 million nickels in FY 2024 alone, down from $92.6 million the prior year. Experts warn that increased nickel demand post-penny could erase penny savings, potentially requiring 2-2.5 million more nickels annually. Enter NickelPAC, the Jacksonville-based Super PAC founded to prevent this rebound by forcing a nickel phaseout by 2027.

"Ending the penny was step one; sunsetting the nickel is the slam dunk for taxpayer relief," said Dirk Frazel, NickelPAC Founder. "Florida leads – America follows." Projected savings: Tens of millions yearly in Mint losses. For more, visit @nickelsuperpac on X.