The Great Penny Adjustment of 2025 has begun! Here’s my two cents about it.

The last penny in the United States was minted, ending a 238-year run.

The last pennies minted sold for a mint.

Last US cents sold at auction for a sum of $16.76 million were worth a pretty penny

Yes, there’s a national penny shortage now because pennies are no more. Well, there are no new ones. Hoarding pennies is a contributing factor. People hope their pennies will be worth more someday…

Here in Ashlandia, businesses are adjusting. My current favorite coffee hang, RoCo, has announced that due to the penny shortage, change will be rounded off to the nearest multiple of five. They’re always giving me six cents in change. I’ve always told them, “Keep the penny,” or dropped it into the ever present penny bowl.

Will the penny bowl remain? Doubtful. I mean, why would they?

Now BiMart has a notice up: “Due to the nationwide penny shortage, please pay in correct change.”

They owed me 88 cents after my purchase. I told them to keep the pennies. The cashier replied, “Thanks. I only have two pennies left.” Then she took a nickel off the top of the register. “Someone found this and gave it to me. You take it.” I laughed and accepted, thanking her. That was the gracious thing to do. I’ll pass it on to someone else.

Penny for your thoughts?