What the End of Penny Production Means for You
Get straight answers about cash rounding, what to do with your pennies, and your rights as a consumer.
Consumer Guide
Key Facts
Cash Rounding
Cash totals round to the nearest 5¢. Card payments are not affected.
Pennies Stay Valid
Pennies remain legal tender. You can use, deposit, or donate them.
Prices Unchanged
Individual item prices stay the same. Only the final total rounds.
Balanced Over Time
You round down as often as up. The difference averages to zero.
What You Need to Know
Clear, practical information about the penny transition
What To Do With Pennies
- Bank deposits
- Coinstar locations
- Keep for collectors?
- Donate them
Myths vs. Facts
- "Prices will go up" — FALSE
- "Pennies are worthless" — FALSE
- "I'll always pay more" — FALSE
Your Rights
- When rounding is required
- How to spot improper rounding
- Where to report issues
See How Rounding Works
Rounding is symmetrical—you save just as often as you pay extra
Most Asked Questions
Will I pay more at the store?
On average, no. With symmetrical rounding, you'll round down just as often as you round up. Over many transactions, the difference balances out to nearly zero.
Can I still use pennies?
Yes. Pennies remain legal tender indefinitely. You can continue using pennies for cash purchases, and they'll be factored into your total before rounding.
What if a store rounds wrong?
Treasury guidelines recommend symmetrical rounding. If you believe a store is rounding incorrectly (always up, for example), you can report it to your state's consumer protection office.
Are my old pennies worth anything?
Most pennies are worth face value. However, certain dates and mint marks can be valuable to collectors. Wheat pennies (pre-1959) and copper pennies (pre-1982) may be worth keeping. Check our guide for specifics.