What to Do with Pennies: What Happens to Your Coins After the Treasury Stops Minting Them
Find out what a financial expert says to expect as the coin production stops next year
Though pennies often collect in the bottoms of purses, wallets and cupholders for most people, President Donald Trump’s decision to phase out the coins came as a surprise to many. Now that the U.S. Treasury is phasing out penny production (with the last of the coins being made in early 2026), you may be wondering what to do with pennies you still have in your possession. Find out more about what the end of new pennies means for shopping in the future, plus clever ideas for putting those spare coins to good use.
What does the end of the penny mean?
The news about the end of the penny has left many Americans confused as to next steps. One of the most common concerns people have: how they will receive their exact change back after buying something with cash.
“This is more of a problem for people who do not use credit or debit cards when making purchases,” says Gates Little, CEO of altLINE and The Southern Bank Company.
But it’s not the only thing that could change for shoppers. Prices may increase because of the President’s decision—regardless of what kind of payment type you use.
“Businesses will have to either round up or down to avoid this circumstance, and many worry this will lead to prices going up,” he adds.
Do I need to stop using pennies?
With no new pennies being minted, you may wonder if it will still be acceptable to use them for your purchases. The good news? “As long as the penny exists, people can pay with them as they will still be legal tender,” assures Little. “There’s no downside to it.”
Where you could run into trouble is that certain businesses may no longer accept them. This can make things tricky if cash is your preferred form of payment.
“Pennies will slowly phase out of existence due to the government removing them, so it’s just important to keep that in mind moving forward to not rely on pennies for payment,” says Little.
What to do with pennies now
Though it’s unlikely that you’ll stop seeing pennies being used any time soon, it’s not a great idea to sit on large amounts of the coin as eventually they’ll become worthless. Unless you plan on using them for an upcoming purchase, Little suggests trading them in as soon as possible.
“If you’re someone who collects or saves coins, and you have a lot of pennies saved away, you’ll want to exchange those quickly and all at once,” he says. “You can deposit them at the bank or credit union for free. You can also exchange them at a Coinstar machine, but remember that these machines charge small fees, and you’ll have to opt for a gift card to avoid them.”
You can find the kiosks at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens or grocery stores.
Here are some other things you can do with your pennies:
Donate them
Little suggests asking charities if they could use your coins, as some also accept penny donations. Ronald McDonald House Charities, for example, even has a Pennies with a Purpose program.
If you decide to use a Coinstar machine, you can choose the option to have those extra pennies donated to charity rather than take the exchanged money for yourself.
Sell for profit
“Wheat pennies” (those produced from 1909 to 1958) can sometimes be of value. People may be able to get hundreds or even thousands of dollars for these coins depending on the condition and when they were minted.
However, most wheat pennies aren’t worth more than a few cents, and the ones that are valuable are quite rare.
“These coins are improbably in people’s change,” John Feigenbaum, publisher of rare coin price guide Greysheet, told RecordNet.com.
If you do suspect you have a penny that could be worth something, it’s best to contact a professional coin grading service.
Use them around the house
Only have a small handful of spare pennies? The coins can still be used to solve a handful of everyday problems. Here are 10 hacks to try:
Estimate a small measurement
To take a quick measurement when you have no ruler on hand, simply use a penny. A penny’s diameter is exactly 3⁄4 inch, so you can make your necessary estimate by using the coin as a marker.
Stop a dog from barking
If your pup has a habit of barking at everything and everyone he sees, try this: Wash out an old soda or seltzer can and drop 5 to 10 pennies inside, then seal the opening with tape. The next time he barks, shake the can several times. He’ll find the sound unsettling and stop immediately. After a few times, he’ll learn to quit barking entirely.
Ensure drapes hang straight
Your new drapes are a perfect fit for your living room, but they’re looking a bit crooked. Instead of shelling out for store-bought drapery weights to fix them, tuck a few pennies inside the bottom hem. The coins fit perfectly in the fold of most hems, and the weight gently pulls on the bottom of the fabric so your drapes stay straight and hang evenly. So easy!
Tighten a screw fast
You need to tighten a loose screw, but your screwdriver is nowhere to be found. Just enlist the help of a penny. Insert the coin into the slot on the top of the screw, then press down and twist clockwise. The small penny will fit perfectly into the slot of medium and large flathead screws so you can tighten the screw in seconds.
Create a makeshift doorstop
You love to keep your bedroom windows open on warm days and nights, but the wind often blows the room’s door shut. Create a homemade doorstop by tossing a few handfuls of pennies into a small jar, then place it in front of the door when needed. The combined weight of all the pennies will prevent the door from slamming closed.
Get a coffee pot sparkling
If the inside of your coffeepot is covered in residue, the culprit is likely limescale. The save: Drop a handful of pennies and 2 Tbs. of vinegar into the pot. Let sit for a few minutes, then swirl the pot around repeatedly. Dump out the pennies and vinegar, then rinse the pot with boiling water. Vinegar dissolves the residue while the pennies’ edges scrape it away.
Fluff up a carpet or rug in a pinch
To fluff up flattened spots of carpet, place a penny on the edge of the indentation mark and scrape against the material. The edge of the penny will lift the fibers of the carpet and help it regain its form.
Fly-proof an outdoor meal
Nothing beats enjoying dinner outside, but pesky flies can make the experience less than pleasant. To keep them at bay, fill a resealable clear plastic bag with water, then add a few pennies inside. Attach a string to the bag and tie it to a nearby sun-kissed tree or other sturdy yard item. Light reflecting off the pennies confuses flies, so the pests will fly elsewhere.
Stabilize a wobbly chair
While relaxing on the deck one afternoon, you notice that your chair is a bit unsteady. The easy fix: Measure by placing pennies under the leg that’s not sitting flat, then remove and glue the pennies together. Once dry, use strong glue to attach the stack to the bottom of the chair leg. (Glue felt on top of that if you worry the coins will scratch your deck.) Problem solved!
Easily open a pill bottle
The struggle-free trick to removing the top of a won’t-budge prescription bottle: Wedge a penny as far underneath the plastic cap as you can, then push it up with your hand. The coin will give you more leverage so you can easily pop open the container. You’ll be able to get to your medication in a flash, and your hands won’t be sore from dealing with the cap.
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