US Will Stop Making New Pennies

Lesson made on May 26, 2025

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Reading Lesson:

The US government has decided to stop making new pennies. This means stores won’t get new pennies anymore, but people can still use the ones they already have. There are over 100 billion pennies out there, so it may take a while before they disappear from everyday use.

One big reason for this change is that it costs more than 3 cents to make a 1-cent penny. That’s a waste of money. The government says it would save the country money, perhaps as much as $56 million, by not making new pennies.

When stores run out of pennies, they’ll round cash prices up or down to the nearest nickel (5 cents). For example, something that costs $1.02 might now cost $1.00, and something that costs $1.03 might now cost or $1.05 in cash. This only affects cash payments — cards and digital payments will still count exact cents.

Even though new pennies won’t be made, old ones will still be accepted as money. Stores can decide when they want to stop using them, and most are expected to keep accepting pennies from customers for now.

Some people like this change because it could make paying in stores faster. Others are worried it might lead to higher costs if stores round prices up more often. Canada did something similar in 2012, and it worked out fine. Overall, the penny is being used less and less. Many just sit in jars, drawers, or get left behind. That’s why the government thinks it’s time to stop making them.

Comprehension Quiz:

1. What is the main idea of the article?

a) Pennies are the most used coins in the US.
b) The US is replacing pennies with new coins.
c) Stores no longer accept cash in the US.
d) The US will no longer make pennies soon.

2. Why would paying in stores become faster without pennies?

a) People will use more digital payments.
b) There will be fewer products to buy.
c) Stores will stop giving change.
d) People won’t have to count small coins like pennies.

3. It may take a while before pennies disappear from everyday use. What does “disappear” mean?

a) To be thrown in the trash.
b) To turn into another coin.
c) To become valuable.
d) To slowly stop being used or seen.

4. Which of these statements is false?

a) All stores must stop accepting pennies right away.
b) Stores can choose when to stop using pennies.
c) You can still use old pennies to pay.
d) Digital payments will not be affected by the change.

5. They’ll round cash prices up or down to the nearest nickel. What does “to round” mean?

a) To make coins into circles.
b) To change a number to the nearest simple value.
c) To add more change.
d) To wrap up money in rolls of paper.

6. Why do some people worry about the change?

a) They like using credit cards more than cash.
b) They think stores may raise prices by rounding up.
c) They want more kinds of coins to be made.
d) They do not use pennies often.

7. What is the reason the US is stopping penny production?

a) To help the environment.
b) Because people prefer to use the Mexican peso.
c) Because it costs more to make a penny than it’s worth.
d) Because the US Army needs the metal to make more weapons.

8. What will most likely happen when stores run out of pennies?

a) Prices will be listed without cents.
b) Pennies will become more expensive.
c) Cash prices will be rounded to the nearest five cents.
d) Stores will stop taking cash payments.

9. Why will digital payments not be affected?

a) They can still allow exact amounts in cents.
b) They are not real money.
c) The government wants people to stop using cash.
d) Stores will no longer accept digital payments.

10. What can we guess about the future of the penny?

a) It will be replaced by the dollar.
b) It will slowly stop being used over time.
c) It will become the most valuable coin.
d) It will be used only for online shopping.

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. Do you think it’s a good idea to stop making pennies? Why or why not?

2. If you could change one small thing in your country to make life easier, what would it be?

2. Do you usually pay with cash or a card? Which do you prefer and why?

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