Congress Passes Common Cents Act Allowing Cash Rounding After Penny Minting Halt

The U.S. Senate approved the Common Cents Act on Sept. 28, permitting retailers to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents, resolving legal conflicts in roughly a dozen states that require equal pricing for all customers. The bill awaits presidential action. The Treasury stopped minting pennies in 2025 under President Donald Trump after production costs reached 3.69 cents per coin in 2024, a loss of about $18 million. Approximately 114 billion pennies remain in circulation and retain legal tender status. Rounding follows a simple rule: final digits of 1, 2, 6 or 7 round down; 3, 4, 8 or 9 round up. The American Bankers Association says rounding evens out over time, though some merchants round down to avoid consumer backlash. Nickels, which cost 13.78 cents each to produce in 2024, may be the next target. The bill requires Treasury to notify Congress before eliminating any coin.