The Last Penny Was Struck
November 12, 2025
Your trusted resource for understanding what penny elimination means for your business, organization, or household.
Status Update — October 2026
Production: Penny production ended November 12, 2025 via executive action by the Treasury Department. [Treasury FAQ]
Federal legislation: The Common Cents Act has cleared Congress. Because the House (H.R.3074, July 14) and Senate (S.1525, August 7) had passed different bill numbers, both chambers passed a consolidated bill, H.R.10167 — the House by voice vote on September 14 and the Senate, without amendment, by unanimous consent on September 28, 2026. It next goes to the President for signature. The bill would end circulating penny production and make cash rounding permissive (opt-in), not mandatory.
Rounding rules: No federal law requires cash rounding — the Common Cents Act would permit it, not mandate it — and Treasury guidance is non-binding. The action is in the states: 26 states and territories have rounding legislation, 22 states have enacted laws (Arizona's is the only retail rounding mandate in force; California's takes effect July 1, 2027). See your state.
Legal tender: Pennies remain in circulation and are legal tender indefinitely. [Source]
The Common Cents Act
The bipartisan federal bill behind this site's name — passed by Congress and awaiting the President's signature, while states write their own rounding laws
What It Is
Bipartisan legislation to codify the end of penny production. The version Congress passed (H.R.10167) would permit — but not require — rounding cash totals to the nearest nickel, and would protect businesses that round from conflicting federal, state, tribal and local rules (wage-and-hour laws excepted).
Read Full Details →Timeline
Follow the full story — from the bill's April 2025 introduction through the end of production, the 2026 wave of state rounding laws, and final passage in Congress.
View Timeline →Why It Matters
Discover the economic, environmental, and practical benefits backed by research and international precedents.
See Research →What This Means for You
Business Owners
Prepare your operations now
- Update POS systems for automatic rounding
- Train staff on new procedures
- Access free signage and templates
Consumers
Understand cash rounding
- Only cash payments round, not cards
- You can still use existing pennies
- Rounding balances out over time
Latest Coverage
Curated penny-transition news, updated as the story develops
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