The Economics of Abolishing the Penny

The Economics of Abolishing the Penny

Published: February 13, 2025

Duration: 39:40

Should the U.S. eliminate the penny? In this episode, we dive into the economics of keeping or removing the one-cent coin, weighing its production costs, impact on consumers, and whether rounding transactions would make a real difference. We explore arguments for and against, from inefficiencies at the cash register to the role of small change in charitable giving. We also discuss how other countries have handled similar transitions and whether the U.S. is ready to follow suit.

In this episode, we discuss:

* The cost of producing a penny and whether it outweighs its...