President Donald Trump has announced that he has directed the Treasury Department to cease minting new pennies due to the rising production costs associated with the one-cent coin. This decision has reignited the passionate debate over the continued existence of the penny and what its discontinuation would mean for the economy.
NBC News’ Brian Cheung delves into the complexities of the penny debate, exploring the various arguments for and against keeping the coin in circulation. One of the main issues at hand is the fact that it costs more to produce a penny than its actual value, leading many to question the practicality of maintaining its production.
The logistics of discontinuing the penny are also a key point of discussion. How would businesses and consumers adjust to a world without pennies? Would prices be rounded up or down? These are important questions that would need to be addressed if the penny were to be phased out.
While some argue that the penny is an essential part of American culture and history, others contend that it is a nuisance that clutters pockets and piggy banks. Trump’s call for a halt in penny production has brought this debate to the forefront once again, prompting lawmakers and economists to weigh in on the issue.
Regardless of the outcome, the debate over the penny is far from over. As the Treasury Department considers Trump’s directive, the future of the one-cent coin remains uncertain. Only time will tell whether the penny will continue to hold its place in American currency or if it will soon become a relic of the past.
Watch the video by NBC News
Video “Making sense of the penny debate as Trump calls for halt in production” was uploaded on 02/11/2025 to Youtube Channel NBC News