Group 1: Currency Production and Costs - The production cost of a penny in fiscal 2024 was 3.69 cents, leading to a loss of $85.3 million for the Mint [3] - The cost of making a nickel in fiscal 2024 was 13.78 cents, resulting in a loss of $17.7 million [2] - Ending the production of pennies is expected to save the Mint approximately $56 million annually [3] Group 2: Inflation and Purchasing Power - The dollar's purchasing power has significantly decreased, with $100 in 2025 equivalent to what $12.05 could buy in 1970 [5] - The aggressive money printing has led to a decline in the value of smaller denominations, with the penny and nickel being the first to go [2][3] Group 3: Gold as an Investment - Gold prices have surged by over 50% in the past year, making it a popular choice for preserving wealth during inflation [7] - Gold is viewed as a safe-haven asset, especially during economic or geopolitical uncertainty, as it cannot be printed like fiat money [7][8] - Ray Dalio emphasized the importance of including gold in investment portfolios, particularly during challenging economic times [9] Group 4: Real Estate as a Hedge - The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index increased by 47% over the past five years, indicating strong demand in the real estate market [12] - Real estate often provides a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation, making it a powerful hedge against rising costs [12] Group 5: Alternative Investment Opportunities - Platforms like Masterworks allow investors to buy shares in blue-chip artwork, making art investment more accessible [21] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived enable investments in rental properties with minimal capital, providing exposure to real estate without the responsibilities of being a landlord [14][15]

The very last penny was minted yesterday.Farewell, penny. We'll keep the change. https://t.co/jxjDxE16mr ...

3 2 1 >> Tonight, after more than 230 years in circulation, the US Mint in Philadelphia pressing the last ever American penny. >> We're saying goodbye to the penny today. >> US Treasurer Brandon Beach on hand for the historic moment as production of the 1-cent coins officially comes to an end.The final two pennies going up for auction. >> It's still legal tender and we have over 300 billion of them in circulation. Earlier this year, President Trump calling the coin wasteful as the cost to produce just one p ...

Existing pennies are going to retain their current value indefinitely, but with the last one being minted today, a penny shortage is what's next. Some retailers have already announced a shortage. Kroger's, McDonald's, and Walmart have reported problems, and some are rounding cash prices up or down as penny supplies dry. ...