LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The U.S. Treasury has officially ended production of the one-cent coin after 232 years, marking the end of an era for America's smallest denomination currency.

The U.S. Mint announced this week that it has discontinued production of the penny, a move first signaled by the Trump administration six months ago. The decision comes as the cost of producing pennies exceeds their actual value.

According to the Treasury, it costs nearly 4 cents to make just one cent.

Christian Ray, a gas station customer, expressed surprise at the news.

"That's crazy." Ray said. "That doesn't even make sense…literally."

The Treasury Department cited both expense and irrelevance as primary factors in the decision. With the discontinuation of the penny, the U.S. Mint expects to save ap

See Full Page