Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The phrase a penny for your thoughts may eventually disappear as the production of pennies is paused permanently.
"I haven't used a penny in years. In fact, I was trying to teach my daughter how to count coins and it had been so long, it was embarrassing how not immediate it was," one Massachusetts resident said.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced earlier this year that they would halt the production of pennies under the Trump administrations direction. Even though the final penny has been pressed, those currently in circulation will remain legal tender. Some locals say they don't think they will be impacted by the change.
Read More: The U.S. Treasury Department Will Cease Production Of Pennies In 2026
"I don't carry any cash on me anymore, so all card. I'm moving away from the wallet, I'm going straight to Apple Pay," another local said,
According to the department, the cost to produce the copper and zinc coins has increased from 1.30 cents to 3.69 cents per coin. The U.S. Mint predicts an annual savings of $56 million when the production of the penny ceases. But some residents say they will remain loyal to legal tender.
"Oh, I use coins and paper cash. I try not to use my smartphone as much because I usually have problems with it," another resident stated.
The Treasury submitted its final order of penny blanks in May and will continue to produce the coins until they are out of inventory.
"I don't think I'll miss the penny, but it will be a treasured memory from history," one resident said.
Treasurer Brandon Beach holding the last ever minted penny.Photo: Getty
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.