Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Treasury has permanently ceased the minting of the one-cent coin, marking the first time in 232 years that a circulating coin has been discontinued. This decision is driven by the cost of production exceeding the coin's face value, alongside a shift towards digital payments [1]. Group 1: Minting and Historical Context - The last batch of 150 million one-cent coins was minted in Philadelphia on November 12, 2023, officially ending the production of this coin [1]. - The one-cent coin, first issued in 1793 and featuring Lincoln's portrait since 1864, has seen over 1 trillion coins minted throughout its history [1]. - This marks the first permanent discontinuation of a circulating coin since the abolition of the half-cent coin in 1857 [1]. Group 2: Economic Factors - The primary reason for discontinuing the one-cent coin is the significant cost disparity, with each coin costing approximately 2.5 cents to produce, leading to projected expenses exceeding $800 million in 2024 [1]. - The rise of digital payments has reduced cash transactions, prompting many retailers to adopt a "rounding" method for transactions [1]. Group 3: Policy and Future Implications - The policy to stop minting the one-cent coin was initiated by former President Trump, who directed the Treasury Secretary to halt production in February, citing potential savings for taxpayers and simplification of daily transactions [1]. - The final batch of coins will only supplement existing inventory and will not be widely circulated; existing one-cent coins will be gradually recalled without mandatory exchange [1]. - Due to its status as the "final production," this batch of coins is expected to become a popular collectible, with individual coins potentially valued at 5 to 10 cents in the short term [1].