Common Cents Act ile Bir Cente Son: ABD'de 232 Yıllık Üretim Durduruldu

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Common Cents Act (H.R. 10167) by voice vote on September 14, 2026, marking a decisive step toward permanently ending the production of the one‑cent coin. The bill, which has already seen the final circulating penny minted in Philadelphia on November 12, 2025, reflects the Mint’s assessment that producing a cent now costs 3.69 cents per piece. The legislation would save the Treasury roughly $56 million each year.

While the Act ends circulating production, it preserves numismatic minting. The U.S. Mint will continue to produce one‑cent coins for collectors, including a special 1776–2026 Lincoln cent issued for annual numismatic sets celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial. The approximately 300 billion pennies already in circulation remain legal tender, and businesses may still dispense exact change when cents are available. Non‑cash transactions, such as credit and debit card payments, will continue to be calculated to the exact cent.

The bill also addresses the nickel, allowing the Treasury Department to adopt a cheaper alloy if testing shows it does not disrupt coin‑operated equipment. However, the Common Cents Act still requires Senate approval in identical form and the President’s signature before becoming law. Until then, the penny’s disappearance from everyday coinage remains provisional, but its presence in numismatics is secured.