
The penny is about to drop in America – for the final time.
President Donald Trump says the small coin is “so wasteful” and should be abolished.
The US Mint has made its final order of penny blanks (flat metal discs that are made into coins) and expects to stop making new pennies once those are cashed out.
Mr Trump claims the coin costs the country a mint – and the US Treasury seems to agree with him, expecting annual savings of $56m (£41m) in reduced material costs once the low-value denomination is no more.
“For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social in February. “This is so wasteful!”
“I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”
Made from zinc with a copper coating, the penny was one of the first coins made by the US Mint after its establishment in 1792 and there are now around 114 billion currently in circulation – that’s 285,000 tonnes of metal.
However they are greatly underutilised, the Treasury says.
Read more from Sky News:
Investors descend on Trump’s $148m meme coin dinner
Trump administration accepts $400m plane as gift from Qatar

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Advocates for ditching the penny cite its high production cost – almost four cents per penny now – and limited utility.
However, others point to its usefulness in charity drives and cheaper production cost compared with the nickel coin, which costs almost 14 cents to mint.
Jay Zagorsky, professor of markets, public policy, and law at Boston University, said he supports the move to end penny production but warned that US Congress must legislate that prices be rounded up in order to eliminate demand for the coin.
Source link
Khamrah by Lattafa for Men - 3.4 oz EDP Spray
4% OffGhost Sweetheart Eau de Toilette | Pineapple, Jasmine and Sandalwood | Perfume for Women 50 ml
50% OffMarc Jacobs Dot Eau De Parfum for Women, 100 ml
42% OffTed Baker W Eau de Toilette for Her, Fig Leaf, White Peony and Violet Top Notes, Pink Orchid and Raspberry Middle Notes, 75ml
£11.77 (£15.69 / 100 ml) (as of 01/05/2026 03:09 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Ted Baker Woman Pink Eau de Toilette Spray Floral Green Feminine Fragrance, Opening Notes are Fresh Peach, Bergamot and Tangerine with Warm Musk, Vanilla and Vetiver Base, 100ml
11% OffVera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette - 30 ml
Choco Musk 50ml Eau De Parfum for men and women | Chocolate Musk by Jannat Aromas
17% OffChristina Aguilera Signature Eau de Parfum (50ml) Floral, Fruity & Exotic Scent, Luxury Fragrance for Women
9% OffCalvin Klein - Eau De Toilette CKIN2U - Calvin Klein Women, Ladies Perfume, Women's Perfume, Calvin Klein Perfume, Calvin Klein One - 150 ml
5% OffJimmy Choo Flash Eau de Parfum, 60 ml (Pack of 1)
3% OffFruit of the Loom Men's Heavy T Shirt, White, XL UK
28% OffATNKE LED Lighted Beanie Cap,USB Rechargeable Running Hat Ultra Bright 4 LED Waterproof Light Winter Warm Gifts for Men and Women/Pink
Now retrieving the rating.
17% OffMen's 1/4 Zip Pullover UK Sale Clearance, Fleece Sweatshirt Casual Jumper Long Sleeve T-shirt Top Stand Collar Sweater Plain Pullover Sports Leisure Workwear Quarter Zip Sweater Lightweight Jumpers
Now retrieving the rating.
£5.88 (as of 12/11/2025 00:52 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)