New Delhi: A piece of American history clinked to a close this week as the US Mint in Philadelphia produced its final penny. It marked the end of a 230-year-old tradition.

US Treasurer Brandon Beach before striking the last batch of pennies, pressed the ceremonial button and declared, “God bless America, and we’re going to save the taxpayers $56 million.” This is followed by President Donald Trump’s directive to halt penny production. He has called it “wasteful” since each coin costs over two cents to make.

A sign of nostalgic token?

An estimated 250 billion pennies continue to be in circulation and will remain legal tender, but the new ones will not be made. Production of most pennies ended over the summer, according to an Associated Press report.

It was introduced in 1793. The penny

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