After 232 years, the US Mint stopped issuing new pennies on November 12, 2025. The decision was made because the cost of minting a single penny rose to 3.69 cents, making it too expensive to produce. While new production has halted, existing pennies remain in circulation and are still valid currency. The nickel faces a similar dilemma and may be next to go.
💡 Expression Spotlight
1. Cost a pretty penny
- Definition: To be very expensive.
- Context: Alex mentions that making pennies was “costing a pretty penny” because the production cost was higher than the value of the coin.
- Example: “That vintage car looks amazing, but I bet it cost a pretty penny to restore.”
2. Churn out
- Definition: To produce large quantities of something mechanically and quickly (often implying a lack of care or focus on quantity over quality).
- Context: Maya explains that the Mint costs nearly four cents just to “churn out” a single penny.
- Example: “The factory churns out thousands of smartphones every single day.”
3. Legal tender
- Definition: Official money (coins or banknotes) that must be accepted for payment by law.
- Context: Alex asks if his old pennies are still valid, and Maya confirms they are still “legal tender”.
- Example: “Shop owners are required to accept cash because it is legal tender.”
4. On the chopping block
- Definition: In a position where one is likely to be fired, removed, or eliminated.
- Context: The nickel is also losing money (costing nine cents to make), so it might be next “on the chopping block”.
- Origin: Refers to a butcher’s block or an executioner’s block—implying something is about to be cut.
- Example: “Due to the company’s low profits, the marketing department is on the chopping block.”
5. A penny for your thoughts
- Definition: A friendly way to ask someone what they are thinking.
- Context: Alex uses this idiom to ask Maya if she will actually miss the heavy coins.
- Nuance: This is warm and personal, best used with friends or partners when they are quiet.
- Example: “You look so serious. A penny for your thoughts?“
📝 Dialogue Script
Maya: Did you hear the news? The US Mint officially stopped making pennies after 232 years.
Alex: It makes sense. Honestly, manufacturing them was costing a pretty penny.
Maya: Seriously. I read it costs nearly four cents just to churn out a single one-cent coin.
Alex: That is wild. So, wait, are the coins in my pocket still legal tender?
Maya: Yes, you can still spend them. But the nickel might be next on the chopping block.
Alex: I’m not surprised. With inflation, small coins are just less useful these days.
Maya: Exactly. Most people just use digital payments instead of cash anyway.
Alex: Well, a penny for your thoughts—will you actually miss carrying around all that heavy change?
🧠 Quiz Answer
Question: How much does it cost the US government to make one penny?
Answer: 3.69 cents (almost 4 cents). The cost of zinc and copper has risen so much that the government loses money on every penny it makes.
